NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Carla Thomas scored 22 points to lead No. 12 Vanderbilt to an 89-75 victory over Indiana State on Thursday in the championship game of the Vanderbilt Holiday Tournament.<br>
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The Commodores (11-1) pulled away in the second half with a 19-8 run, stretching a 58-53 lead to 77-61 with 5:27 remaining.<br>
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Indiana State (7-4) kept it close in the first half by making 13 of its first 18 shots from the field and six of its first 10 3-pointers. The Sycamores shot 55.6 percent before halftime.<br>
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Vanderbilt clamped down on defense in the second half, holding Indiana State to 34.4 percent shooting. The Commodores shot 54.8 percent in the second half.<br>
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Thomas was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. Christina Wirth added a career-high 18 points for Vanderbilt. Rachel Maenpaa led Indiana State with 23 points and six rebounds.<br>
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Longwood defeated Lipscomb 55-53 in the consolation game.