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Vanderbilt basketball got its first win in Knoxville for the first time since 2017, pulling off an 86-82 victory on March 7 at Food City Center at Thompson-Boling Arena.
No. 22 Vanderbilt (24-7, 11-7 SEC) led early and held that lead throughout the game, but Tennessee managed to significantly narrow the deficit in the second half. However, the Vols (21-10, 11-7) could never get the score within a single possession as the Commodores led wire to wire.
The Commodores committed a few costly turnovers late in the second half and had both Duke Miles and AK Okereke foul out, but they had built up enough of a lead to prevent Tennessee from ever taking the lead.
Tyler Tanner put up 25 points and Okereke had 17 points. Miles had 13.
Overall, Vanderbilt shot 53% from the field, making 5-for-10 from three.
Vanderbilt has often struggled with slow starts on the road, but that was not the case in this game. The Commodores got off to an early 15-2 advantage and held that lead throughout the first half, thanks to strong interior shooting and forcing turnovers. It was Tennessee's lowest-scoring half of the season with just 22 points.
The scoring from Vanderbilt was balanced during the first half, with six different players scoring and five scoring at least five points. The Commodores allowed the Vols to shoot just 2-for-12 from three during the first half. Vanderbilt took this lead despite not making a 3-pointer during the first half.
Tanner has consistently led Vanderbilt this season and he did it again vs. Tennessee, pacing the Commodores in scoring while playing strong defense on the Vols' guards.
AK Okereke also put up a strong performance on both ends as well until his foul out at the end.
Tennessee star guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie had a relatively quiet game by his standards with the Commodores doing a strong job on Gillespie defensively.
Though Gillespie still put up 17 points, he was inefficient at scoring. Gillespie was 5-for-22 from the field and just 1-for-11 from 3-point range.
Instead, Amari Evans was the Vols' top scorer. Evans finished with 24 points and six rebounds, making two 3-pointers. JP Estrella also had a double-double off the bench with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Felix Okpara also finished with 10 rebounds off the bench.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at [email protected] or on X @aria_gerson.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt basketball beats Tennessee in Knoxville for first time since 2017
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No. 22 Vanderbilt (24-7, 11-7 SEC) led early and held that lead throughout the game, but Tennessee managed to significantly narrow the deficit in the second half. However, the Vols (21-10, 11-7) could never get the score within a single possession as the Commodores led wire to wire.
The Commodores committed a few costly turnovers late in the second half and had both Duke Miles and AK Okereke foul out, but they had built up enough of a lead to prevent Tennessee from ever taking the lead.
Tyler Tanner put up 25 points and Okereke had 17 points. Miles had 13.
Overall, Vanderbilt shot 53% from the field, making 5-for-10 from three.
Vanderbilt starts strong
Vanderbilt has often struggled with slow starts on the road, but that was not the case in this game. The Commodores got off to an early 15-2 advantage and held that lead throughout the first half, thanks to strong interior shooting and forcing turnovers. It was Tennessee's lowest-scoring half of the season with just 22 points.
The scoring from Vanderbilt was balanced during the first half, with six different players scoring and five scoring at least five points. The Commodores allowed the Vols to shoot just 2-for-12 from three during the first half. Vanderbilt took this lead despite not making a 3-pointer during the first half.
Tyler Tanner and AK Okereke lead Commodores
Tanner has consistently led Vanderbilt this season and he did it again vs. Tennessee, pacing the Commodores in scoring while playing strong defense on the Vols' guards.
AK Okereke also put up a strong performance on both ends as well until his foul out at the end.
Vanderbilt keeps Ja'Kobi Gillespie quiet
Tennessee star guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie had a relatively quiet game by his standards with the Commodores doing a strong job on Gillespie defensively.
Though Gillespie still put up 17 points, he was inefficient at scoring. Gillespie was 5-for-22 from the field and just 1-for-11 from 3-point range.
Instead, Amari Evans was the Vols' top scorer. Evans finished with 24 points and six rebounds, making two 3-pointers. JP Estrella also had a double-double off the bench with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Felix Okpara also finished with 10 rebounds off the bench.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at [email protected] or on X @aria_gerson.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt basketball beats Tennessee in Knoxville for first time since 2017
Continue reading...
