NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — A surging Vanderbilt squad looks to continue its dominant season when it hosts an Alabama team seeking a signature road win in a key Southeastern Conference women’s basketball matchup Thursday at Memorial Gymnasium. The No. 6-ranked Commodores (25-3, 12-3 SEC), riding high after a thrilling 81-79 victory over Kentucky, boast one of the nation’s top records. They are led by star guard Mikayla Blakes, who is averaging 32.3 points over her last three games, including a 35-point performance Sunday. Vanderbilt’s high-powered offense, which has topped 100 points once and 80 points seven times this season, will test an Alabama defense that has shown inconsistency. The Crimson Tide (21-7, 8-7) arrives off a 76-71 road win at Florida, snapping a three-game skid. Guard Jessica Timmons fueled that victory with a season-high 34 points. Timmons, averaging 18.1 points in conference play, will need a similar performance to keep pace with Vanderbilt’s scoring. Alabama has struggled against the league’s upper echelon, with recent double-digit losses to South Carolina, Oklahoma and LSU. The matchup pits Vanderbilt’s potent attack against an Alabama team that has proven resilient in close games, with four of its SEC wins coming by five points or fewer. The Commodores won the season’s first meeting 88-73 in Tuscaloosa on Jan. 8, behind 31 points from Blakes. A Vanderbilt win would solidify its standing near the top of the SEC and bolster its case for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament. For Alabama, a road upset would provide a crucial Quadrant 1 victory to enhance its postseason resume. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. EST. Vanderbilt’s next game is Sunday at Tennessee. Alabama hosts Texas on Sunday.