Blakes scores 38 points, No. 5 Vanderbilt beats Mississippi State for first 18-0 start
Vanderbilt guard Mikayla Blakes (1) is pressured by Mississippi State forward Madison Francis, left, and guard Saniyah King (1) as she attempts a layup during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Starkville, Miss. Credit: AP/Rogelio V. Solis
STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mikayla Blakes scored a season-high 38 points and No. 5 Vanderbilt won its school-record 18th straight game to open the season, beating Mississippi State 89-84 on Thursday night.
The Commodores are 5-0 in Southeastern Conference play for the first time since 1992-93, the season they opened 17-0. The 18-game winning streak is the longest in school history at any point in a season.
Blakes hit five 3-pointers, made 11 free throws without a miss and had seven assists. Justine Pissott added 12 points, and Aiyana Mitchell had 10 points and eight rebounds.
Vanderbilt broke it open with 21-6 run in the third quarter.
Madison Francis led Mississippi State (14-5, 1-4) with 15 points.
Up next
Vanderbilt: Plays Michigan on Monday at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey
Mississippi State: Hosts Kentucky on Synday.
Vanderbilt guard Justine Pissott (13) reaches for a loose basketball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Mississippi State, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Starkville, Miss. Credit: AP/Rogelio V. Solis
