A tough one in Nashville.
For just the second time since 2017, Tennessee has lost to Vanderbilt. The Volunteers were unable to overcome a hot-shooting Commodore squad, who really separated to open the second half.
Vanderbilt hopped out to an early lead, but Tennessee was able to battle back. A 21-13 lead felt comfortable, but it didn’t last long. The Commodores were aggressive getting to the rim, making their living at the free throw stripe. They quickly erased Tennessee’s lead and tied the game up at 28-28.
By halftime, Vanderbilt had built a 41-35 lead.
Vandy drilled five straight three-pointers out of the halftime break, giving the ‘Dores a commanding lead. Tyler Nickel and Jason Edwards couldn’t miss, and Vanderbilt pushed out to a double digit lead.
Tennessee kept fighting though. Zakai Zeigler kept attacking the paint, throwing lob after lob to Felix Okpara. The big man hit his first seven attempts, keeping the Volunteers alive late.
Tennessee cut the Vanderbilt lead to eight points with 3:48 to play, but needed to find some stops to have a shot. Igor Milicic scored four quick points, then Chaz Lanier came up with a steal and a bucket to cut the lead to four.
The Volunteers — somehow — found a chance to win. Tennessee cut the lead to two points with just seconds remaining with a shot to win or take the game to overtime. Lanier took the inbounds pass and had a clear lane to the rim, but Vanderbilt’s Chris Manon came up with the perfect block.
Tennessee would foul, and Vandy ended up missing the front end of a one and one. Lanier got the ball and was fouled at midcourt, needing to make two to take the game to overtime.
Lanier made the first, but missed the second.
That would do it — Vanderbilt won 76-75, hanging on for dear life.
Tennessee had a good offensive night, shooting 48 percent from three-point range. They found the stops they needed late, but couldn’t finish the job at the free throw stripe.
Lanier ended up leading Tennessee in scoring with 17 points. Felix Okpara, Igor Milicic and Zakai Zeigler all scored 16 points a piece.
Tennessee will be back in action on Tuesday night at home against Mississippi State.