One and Done: Vandy Edges Volunteers
Shan Foster poured in 32 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field, including 6-of-9 from beyond the arc, and the No. 18 Vanderbilt Commodores climbed over the top-ranked Tennessee Volunteers, 72-69, spoiling the Vols’ likely short stay at No. 1.
Tennessee attained the top spot in the polls for the first time in the 99- season history of the program after Saturday’s 66-62 victory at previously unbeaten Memphis, the squad’s first win over a top-ranked opponent since 1969.
Vanderbilt, meanwhile, is all too familiar with toppling the top team in the land. Though the Commodores are 6-13 all-time against top-ranked opponents, they have won their last four clashes hosting the No. 1 club in the nation. Most recently, the Commodores turned away top-ranked Florida, 83-70, on Feb. 17, 2007.
Just more than a year after that upset, Vanderbilt added another notch to its belt.
"It’s an honor," remarked Foster. "Coach Stallings told us that people go their entire career without facing the best team in the nation, so we knew how important this game was. We prepared well for the game. We expected to win."
Jermaine Beal provided 17 points for the Commodores (24-4, 9-4 SEC), who have triumphed in seven straight outings. Alex Gordon gave 11 points before fouling out, helping Vanderbilt improve its perfect mark to 18-0 at Memorial Gymnasium, where the Commodores have bested the Volunteers in four of the last five meetings.
Not only did Vandy avenge an 80-60 loss on Jan. 17 visiting Knoxville, it also achieved its highest overall season win total under head coach Kevin Stallings.
"It was a hard-fought battle by both teams," said Stallings. "The game was what you’d expect when these two programs play each other. … We needed the win, and it was also a big game for them. You want to win games any time you play them. (Tennessee head coach) Bruce (Pearl’s) orange coat designated it as a big game for them. UT handled us at its place. Tonight, we played better."
Chris Lofton tallied 25 points on 7-of-18 shooting from the field, including 6-of-18 from three-point range, for Tennessee (25-3, 11-2), which had a nine-game win streak erased. Tyler Smith hauled in 17 rebounds to go with 11 points, but it was not enough to avoid the Vols slipping to 8-2 on the road.
The Volunteers were held to 32.8 percent field goal shooting and 26.9 percent shooting from beyond the arc — both well below their season averages of 45.7 percent from the field and 36 percent of three-pointers.
"Offensively, they were able to do a really good job of disrupting us," explained Pearl. "We really struggled with three-point baskets. We could not finish at the rim. As a result, offense was a struggle."
Tennessee nearly closed the gap when Ramar Smith slashed through the lane and knocked down a layup, despite being fouled on the shot. Smith calmly converted at the stripe, and the score stood at 70-67 with 22 seconds remaining.
After Foster was fouled on the other end, and hit both from the line, the Vols stormed back down the court and Smith hooked up with Wayne Chism for a monster jam. With seven seconds to play, Tennessee was within a long basket, at 72-69.
On the ensuing possession, Foster attempted to send the ball downcourt to freshman Keegan Bell, who had beaten the Vols’ press. But the ball went long, and initially got away from Bell, looking as though it would dribble out of bounds over the end line and go back to Tennessee with a chance to tie.
However, Bell somehow caught up to the ball and slammed on the brakes before jettisoning out of bounds himself, potentially saving the game for the Commodores. With just two seconds on the clock, Bell was fouled, and stepped to the stripe to attempt his seventh and eighth free throws of his season and collegiate career.
When Bell missed both foul shots, the Vols reeled in the rebound and had an opportunity to send the game to overtime. But, without any timeouts, JaJuan Smith was forced to put up a prayer nearly the length of the hardwood, and, with the ball clearly sailing high over the hoop, Vandy fans filled the floor before the ball ever landed, celebrating the Commodores’ latest crippling of a top-ranked foe.
"I can’t say we didn’t play well," commented Lofton. "Vanderbilt deserves all the credit. They came out with passion and had more intensity in their eyes. They wanted it more than us tonight, and it showed. They got the win, and they deserved it."
Looking to capitalize on Tennessee’s little rest since the emotional win over Memphis on Saturday, Vanderbilt established an early lead. After Lofton drained a three-pointer to open the game’s scoring, the Commodores ripped off a 10-0 run. Gordon stroked a jumper after back-to-back buckets from beyond the arc by Beal and Foster, and Vandy earned a 10-3 advantage with 16:25 to go.
In the opening 4:30, UT managed to hit on just 1-of-7 field goals. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt converted 4-of-5 three-pointers in the initial six minutes.
After two Tennessee free throws, the Commodores used a 13-4 flurry, and Ogilvy’s slam at the 10:47 mark gave Vanderbilt a 23-9 cushion.
Tennessee climbed back to within four points after Lofton sparked an 11-1 surge. He scored eight straight UT points, and JaJuan Smith’s three-pointer capped the burst, as the Vols trailed, 24-20, with 5:57 remaining.
Lofton closed the half’s scoring with a three-pointer with 1:24 to play and Tennessee trailed, 31-28, heading into the locker room.
Following the intermission, the teams traded blows back and forth. Lofton’s three-point play in the opening minutes put the Vols on top, 36-34, for the first time since it was 3-2 just over a minute into the game.
Trailing 43-40, the Commodores roared back with an 8-0 spurt. Gordon’s pair at the stripe pushed Vandy ahead, 48-43, with 13:29 to go in regulation.
The squads kept it close throughout the bulk of the second stanza.
Game Notes
Tennessee leads the all-time series against Vanderbilt, 106-67, but the Commodores have the advantage as the host, 46-31…This was the ninth time in the 56-year history of Memorial Gym that a top-ranked team has visited. The Commodores are 6-3 in those matchups…This was Vanderbilt’s last SEC East tilt of the season…Vandy is one victory shy of matching its record for most wins in a regular season (25), achieved during the 1992-93 campaign…Tennessee shot just 8-of-34 (23.5 percent) from the field in the first half, compared to 12-of-27 (44.4 percent) in the second half…Despite the loss, the Vols won the battle beneath the basket, out-rebounding the Commodores, 45-38, including 14-5 on the offensive end, and outscoring them in the paint, 26-12…Wayne Chism finished with four points, four rebounds and two blocks for UT…Ogilvy, in foul trouble throughout the contest, managed four points, three boards and swatted three shots…Memorial Gym was filled to capacity, with 14,325 fans witnessing the upset…Lofton’s free throw at the 17:36 mark of the second half was the 2,000th point of his career.
02/27 02:06:35 ET