A storybook freshman season keeps getting better for Vanderbilt basketball star Mikayla Blakes.
A week after hitting a game-winning put-back against Tennessee, Blakes had a night that will live on even longer: She scored 53 points in the Commodores’ 99-86 win over Florida on Thursday in Gainesville, setting an NCAA single-game record for a freshman. The total is also the highest single-game mark for any player in SEC history.
Blakes has been one of the most prolific scorers in the country this season. The No. 8 recruit in the Class of 2024 was averaging 21 points per game entering Thursday’s contest, placing her 15th nationally, per Her Hoop Stats.
𝙈𝙞𝙠𝙖𝙮𝙡𝙖 𝘽𝙡𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨
The NCAA has a new freshman scoring record holder 😏#AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/A3eVH7LgYx
— no. 23 Vanderbilt WBB (@VandyWBB) January 31, 2025
It’s hard to believe the 19-year-old freshman only started playing basketball at age 12. But as her brother, Stanford guard Jaylen Blakes, says, basketball was made for Mikayla. The Gators had no answers for Blakes’ attacks on the rim, as she made 11 of 12 layups and earned 18 free-throw attempts. She also hit 5 of 9 3-pointers as Vanderbilt built an early lead and never looked back.
“When it comes time to win, Mikayla Blakes…
