Vanderbilt Stuns No. 16 Kentucky Behind Mikayla Blakes’ Career Night
LEXINGTON - After a tough stretch that saw Vanderbilt drop back-to-back games to South Carolina and Ole Miss, head coach Shea Ralph challenged her team to respond. They did just that with a win over Florida at home. But the real test came on the road, against a top-20 Kentucky squad in a hostile environment.
And the Commodores didn’t just pass the test - they aced it.
Vanderbilt pulled off a gritty 84-83 win over No. 16 Kentucky, a game that swung wildly in momentum and came down to the wire. It was the kind of win that can define a season - not just for what it means in the standings, but for what it says about this team’s resolve.
Mikayla Blakes Put on a Show
Let’s start with the obvious: Mikayla Blakes was the best player on the floor - and maybe the best player in the country on this night.
From the opening tip, the sophomore guard was locked in. She dropped 11 points, dished out three assists, and swiped three steals in the first half alone. But it was the second half where she truly took over and stamped her name all over this win.
Blakes poured in 26 points after halftime, including a perfect 5-for-5 from deep. She finished with a career-high 37 points, four assists, four steals, and two rebounds - a stat line that only begins to tell the story of her impact.
“I think she’s the best player in the country,” Ralph said postgame. “Look at what that kid has done for our program and tell me there’s a more meaningful player in the country to their team.
There’s not. She’s changed everything.”
And Ralph’s not exaggerating. Blakes’ combination of scoring, poise, and leadership has elevated Vanderbilt from a rebuilding squad to a real threat in the SEC. Her performance against Kentucky was a masterclass in shot-making and big-moment execution.
Aubrey Galvan’s Composure Beyond Her Years
While Blakes was the headliner, freshman point guard Aubrey Galvan played the role of steadying force - and she played it brilliantly.
Galvan’s numbers - 16 points, seven assists, three steals, and a rebound - were impressive on their own. But it was her poise in the game’s biggest moments that stood out.
Late in the fourth quarter, Kentucky was forced to foul, and Galvan was sent to the line twice in pressure-packed situations. She calmly knocked down all four free throws, keeping the Wildcats at arm’s length and showing the kind of composure you don’t usually see from a first-year player.
“She really ran the team in the second half, and that also made all the difference,” Ralph said. “It takes a lot of composure. I think a lot of what she does and a lot of what she’s done this year takes a lot of composure.”
Galvan’s maturity continues to be one of the most valuable assets for this team. She doesn’t just run the offense - she commands it.
A Win That Means More Than Just a W
This wasn’t just a bounce-back win. It was a statement.
After a rough week, Vanderbilt didn’t fold - they fought. And they did it on the road, against a ranked opponent, in a game where they trailed at halftime and for stretches of the third quarter.
The Commodores opened the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run that completely flipped the script. From there, they leaned on their stars, made clutch plays, and showed the kind of toughness that travels - the kind of toughness that wins games in March.
And they’re going to need it.
The road ahead doesn’t get any easier. Up next: back-to-back home games against ranked Texas and Oklahoma squads.
After that? More ranked opponents, with Georgia being the only unranked team left - and even they’re knocking on the door of the top 25.
“Every team in the SEC is a really good basketball team,” Ralph said. “There’s going to be adversity. We have to stay steadfast in who we are and have fortitude.”
If this win over Kentucky is any indication, Vanderbilt has plenty of both.