Vanderbilt Women Gain Early Edge on Lipscomb Foul

Lipscomb was assessed an administrative technical foul during Vanderbilt's season opener at Memorial Gymnasium on Nov. 2.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Basketball

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a female basketball player shooting a free throw in gold and black, with red and white opponents blurred in the background. — Vanderbilt's women's basketball team extended its early lead over Lipscomb on Nov. 2 after Mikayla Blakes sank two free throws following an administrative technical foul, pushing the score to 13-2. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Lipscomb was assessed an administrative technical foul for not having a player entered in the scorebook in time for a substitution during the Commodores' season opener. Mikayla Blakes made both free throws, putting Vanderbilt up 13-2.

Why it matters

The technical foul gave Vanderbilt two free points and capped a 9-0 run early in the game. Administrative technical fouls carry no team or individual foul penalty, so the effect stayed limited to the scoreboard.

Mikayla Blakes, who shoots 87% from the free-throw line for her career, made both free throws awarded on the administrative technical foul. NCAA rules allow a team to be delayed no more than one full minute for readiness reasons, and scorebook changes are restricted to illness, injury, or blood on a uniform.

The details

Lipscomb was assessed the technical foul during the Commodores' Nov. 2 season opener at Memorial Gymnasium for not having a player in the scorebook in time for a substitution. Blakes made both free throws, and the points capped a 9-0 Vanderbilt run.

Nov. 2: Vanderbilt women's basketball season opener against Lipscomb at Memorial Gymnasium, where the technical foul was assessed.

Season Trajectory

Administrative technical fouls fall under NCAA scorebook and game-readiness rules, which limit when a team can alter its scorebook entries. The early opener result is one data point in a season in which Vanderbilt women's basketball is measured against conference opponents.

Fans tracking Vanderbilt women's basketball should note that the free-point swing from the technical foul affected the early scoreboard but not foul trouble for any player. Administrative technical fouls do not count toward team fouls or individual disqualifications.

The takeaway

Scorebook accuracy matters: a missed substitution entry can cost a team points even when the play itself is routine. Coaches and staff should confirm entries before substitutions to avoid giving the opponent free points.