Mikayla Blakes is proving to be an incredible asset for Vanderbilt, consistently delivering outstanding performances and even surpassing her own records. In this week’s spotlight on women’s college basketball freshmen, we celebrate Blakes’ remarkable achievements and also shed light on Sarah Strong’s fantastic performance, which propelled UConn to a memorable victory against South Carolina.
Mikayla Blakes – Vanderbilt Commodores
It’s not every day you witness an athlete who can break their own records not once but twice in a year. Mikayla Blakes, this Vanderbilt freshman, did just that last Sunday, highlighting just how incredible her first season has been.
Back in January, Blakes made headlines by setting the SEC freshman single-game scoring record with an astounding 53 points during Vanderbilt’s win over the Florida Gators. Yet, she outdid herself this past weekend, amassing 55 points in their 98-88 overtime triumph over Auburn, setting a new benchmark.
This monumental 55-point game wasn’t just significant at the SEC level. It’s a new NCAA record for points scored by a freshman, surpassing Elena Delle Donne’s 54-point performance when she was a redshirt freshman at Delaware in 2010.
With an average nearing 22 points per game, Blakes becomes the first Division I women’s player to notch multiple 50-point games in a single season since 2015-16, when Rachel Banham (Minnesota) and Jasmine Nwajei (Wagner) each achieved the feat twice. Vanderbilt is gearing up to face No. 16 Oklahoma on Thursday, February 20th.
Sarah Strong – UConn Huskies
UConn’s Sarah Strong was pivotal in ending South Carolina’s staggering 71-home game winning streak on Sunday, as No. 7 UConn dominated with an 87-58 win. Strong’s impressive performance, scoring 16 points and grabbing 13 rebounds for a double-double, was instrumental in the victory. Her performance is consistent with her season average, making her the second-highest scorer on this top-tier UConn squad. The Huskies are set to take on Seton Hall on Wednesday, February 19th.
Tajianna Roberts – Louisville Cardinals
Louisville maintains its position as a top contender in the ACC, thanks in large part to standout freshman Tajianna Roberts. As the Cardinals’ most talented playmaker, Roberts leads the team in scoring with an average of 13.4 points per game. Her versatility shone through in Louisville’s 83-69 victory over No. 23 Florida State.
During this game, Roberts amassed 17 points, collected 10 rebounds, dished out 2 assists, and swiped 2 steals, securing her team a crucial win over a ranked opponent for the second time this February. Louisville is preparing to go head-to-head with No. 13 Duke on Thursday, February 20th.
