Tyler Tanner scored 26 points and fifth-seeded Vanderbilt pulled away from 12th-seeded McNeese late for a 78-68 victory in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday afternoon at Paycom Center.
Vanderbilt (27-8, 11-7 SEC) will play Nebraska in the second round Saturday at a time to be determined.
The Commodores had four players score in double figures, with Tyler Nickel and Devin McGlockton scoring 12 apiece. Former OU guard Duke Miles scored 13 points.
But Tanner stole the show.
The point guard scored 17 points in the second half, putting the game out of reach. He also had seven total rebounds and made 9 of 10 shots at the foul line.
McNeese was led by Garway Dual’s 16 points. Larry Johnson also had 15 points.
The Cowboys (28-5, 19-3 Southland) got within three with 6:33 left but did not score for nearly six minutes until DJ Richards made a 3-pointer with 55 seconds remaining.
NCAA TOURNAMENT PREDICTIONS: Nebraska-Troy, Vanderbilt-McNeese, Texas A&M-Saint Mary’s, Houston-Idaho, East Region, South Region, Midwest Region, West Region, NCAA champion
McNeese is challenging a call, hoping to get the ball back after it was ruled out of bounds on the Cowboys.
But they are also missing key opportunities.
And that’s allowed Vandy to capitalize.
Tyler Tanner hit his third 3-pointer of the game to take the eight-point lead. He is up to 22 points.
-Jacob Unruh, deputy sports editor
McNeese guard Tyshawn Archie left the game with a right leg injury. Trainers appeared to be looking at his calf.
Vanderbilt leads 65-60.
-Jacob Unruh, deputy sports editor
Both teams are on a shooting tear right now.
Vanderbilt has made its last six shots. McNeese has made its last three.
But coming out of the timeout, McNeese will be at the line for a trio of foul shots.
-Jacob Unruh, deputy sports editor
Vandy’s Tyler Tanner convered a three-point play with 12:31 left to build up a six-point lead.
-Jacob Unruh, deputy sports editor
Vandy opened the half on a 7-0 run. A 3-pointer from Tyler Nickel forced a timeout by McNeese, which has not made a field goal in nearly 5 minutes of game action.
-Jacob Unruh, deputy sports editor
The Commodores ended the half making 5 of 7 shots, including a big 3-pointer from Ak Okereke to take a 38-35 lead with 1:09 left.
McNeese did not make a field goal in the final 3:21 of the half.
Vandy’s Devin McGlockton leads all scorers with 10 points.
-Jacob Unruh, deputy sports editor
After a 14-2 run gave Vanderbilt a 30-28 lead with 4:09 left in the half, McNeese immediately responded.
Tyshawn Archie had a putback to tie it. Jerrell Colbert blocked a shot. Javohn Garcia followed with a 3-pointer.
-Jacob Unruh, deputy sports editor
Vanderbilt is on a mini 4-0 run while holding McNeese in check defensively. The Cowboys have made just one of their last seven shots.
-Jacob Unruh, deputy sports editor
McNeese has come out on fire. The Cowboys have made four of their last five shots and already forced three Vanderbilt turnovers.
-Jacob Unruh, deputy sports editor
Amir Khan never thought his energy would make him a viral sensation.
Khan, an upcoming sports management senior at McNeese State, rose into unexpected fame last year. For the first time in program history, the McNeese Cowboys won an NCAA Tournament game, upsetting the much-favored Clemson Tigers. Khan and his boombox led the group of players wherever they walked.
Following McNeese’s exit from the tournament in the second round, his boombox was up for bidding for over $5,000.
But now they’re back. And so is he.
Khan briefly exited the program when former McNeese head coach Will Wade moved to NC State, but after just a couple of months, the Lake Charles native decided to go home.
Known as “Aura,” Khan credits his fame to his McNeese players.
—Isa Almeida, Staff writer
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, March 17
Vanderbilt 79, McNeese 69: Vanderbilt won four straight before losing to Arkansas in the SEC title game. The Commodores have great guard play, and that’s usually a winning formula in March. —Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman
Thursday at Paycom Center (All games on TruTV):
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All times CT
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