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.
No. 22 Vanderbilt (24-7, 11-7 SEC) led early and held that lead throughout the game, but Tennessee managed to narrow the deficit significantly 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.
Vanderbilt committed a few costly turnovers late in the game and had both Duke Miles and AK Okereke foul out, but it had built up enough of a lead to thwart Tennessee’s desperation effort.
Tyler Tanner led the Commodores with 25 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Okereke had 17 points, four rebounds and three assists, and Miles had 13 points and led the team with four steals.
Overall, Vanderbilt shot 53% from the field and was 5-for-10 from 3-point range.
Vanderbilt has often struggled with slow starts on the road, but that was not the case here. It 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.
Vanderbilt’s offense was balanced during the first half; six players scored, and five had at least five points. It allowed the Vols to shoot just 2-for-12 from 3 in the first half. The Commodores took the lead despite not making a 3-pointer in the half.
Tanner has consistently led the Commodores this season and he did it again vs. Tennessee, playing strong defense.
Okereke also put up a strong performance on both ends until he fouled out.
Tennessee star guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie had a relatively quiet game by his standards, with the Commodores applying pressure.
Though Gillespie still put up 17 points, he was inefficient, going 5-for-22 from the field and just 1-for-11 from 3-point range. He also committed five turnovers.
Instead, Amari Evans was the Vols’ top scorer, finishing with 24 points and six rebounds, and making two 3-pointers. JP Estrella had a double-double off the bench with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Felix Okpara also finished with 10 rebounds.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at [email protected] or on X @aria_gerson.
