Mikayla Blakes Shatters NCAA Freshman Scoring record in Historic Performance
In a game that will be remembered for years to come, Vanderbilt’s Mikayla blakes etched her name into the NCAA record books with a jaw-dropping 53-point performance. The freshman guard not only broke the NCAA single-game scoring record for freshmen but also set a new SEC single-game scoring record, irrespective of class, in No. 23 Vanderbilt’s 99-86 victory over Florida on Thursday.
Blakes surpassed the previous NCAA freshman record of 51 points, held by USC star JuJu Watkins, who set the mark just 11 months ago. Her remarkable stat line included 16-of-24 shooting from the field, 5-of-9 from beyond the arc, adn a near-perfect 16-of-18 from the free-throw line. She also contributed three rebounds, two assists, and three steals, showcasing her all-around dominance on the court.
One of her shots, described as “of the circus variety,” left fans and analysts in awe. After the game, Vanderbilt celebrated the historic moment with a nod to basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain, whose iconic 100-point game remains a benchmark in the sport.
Blakes’ performance also broke Vanderbilt’s single-game scoring record, previously held by her teammate Khamil Pierre, who scored 42 points on december 16.Vanderbilt head coach Shea Ralph, a former UConn assistant, was effusive in her praise for Blakes. “Mikayla had one of the most incredible performances that I’ve ever seen as a coach,” Ralph said via the nashville Tennesseean. “And I’ve coached a lot of really good players for a long time, and that’s not taking anything away from them. I think you see a player like her do what she did tonight. Sometimes she makes things that are really,really hard to do look really easy.”
Blakes, who was ranked as the No. 8 recruit in the country by ESPN, has lived up to the hype in her debut season. Entering Thursday’s game, she was averaging 21 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists,and 2.4 steals per game. Her record-setting performance came in her 22nd college game, further solidifying her status as one of the brightest young stars in women’s basketball.Vanderbilt’s season has been on an upward trajectory, with the team now holding a 17-4 record.This marks a significant betterment from last season’s 23-10 finish and the 12-19 record the year before.
Key Highlights of Mikayla Blakes’ Record-breaking Game
| Statistic | Performance |
|————————|————————-|
| Points Scored | 53 (NCAA Freshman Record)|
| Field Goals | 16-of-24 |
| 3-Pointers | 5-of-9 |
| Free Throws | 16-of-18 |
| Rebounds | 3 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Steals | 3 |
Blakes’ historic night is a testament to her talent, work ethic, and ability to rise to the occasion. As Vanderbilt continues its season, all eyes will be on this phenomenal freshman to see what she accomplishes next.
For more on Mikayla Blakes’ record-breaking performance, check out the full story on Yahoo sports.