Vandy's Mikayla Blakes Scores Women's Division I Freshman Record 55 Points vs. Auburn

Vanderbilt's Mikayla Blakes scored a Division I freshman record 55 points in the Commodores' 98-88 overtime win against the Auburn Tigers on Sunday.

Blakes shot 54 percent from the field, adding five rebounds, five assists and three steals in addition to shooting 23-of-24 from the free-throw line.

The Commodores improved to 19-7 on the season and 6-6 in conference play behind her 55 points.

Following the victory and her record breaking performance, the 19-year-old was unable to hide her joy.

"I'm just excited. I had to prove myself, and just do whatever needed to be done for us to win today," Blakes told reporters after the game. "So, I just wanted to really dig deep and just show my effort and energy."

The 5'8" guard has been having a standout season for Vanderbilt, averaging 21.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in addition to shooting 46.2 percent from the field.

After trailing 64-56 heading into the fourth quarter, the Commodores mounted a comeback, led by Blakes, who was fouled with less than a second left in regulation. She calmly sank all three free throws to send the game into overtime.

"I had a mindset change to be more confident in myself," she said. "When things are being denied for me, and I'm being pressured, just to be able to handle that better, and be more mature. So, I think I tried to do that today."

This isn't the first time Blakes has reached the 50-point mark, having previously recorded 53 points in Vanderbilt's 99-86 victory over Florida in late January.

With Blakes leading the way, Vandy head coach Shea Ralph didn't doubt that her team could secure the win.

"I knew coming in here today that we were going to win today. We had to," Ralph said. "And that was the mindset that my team showed up with, and Mikayla showed up."

Blakes and Vanderbilt will look to win back-to-back games as they face the No. 16 Oklahoma Sooners on Thursday.