The Vanderbilt Commodores are making a habit of slaying giants on their home court. For the second consecutive Saturday, the Commodores took down a top-10 team at Memorial Gymnasium, this time stunning the No. 9 Kentucky Wildcats 74-69 in a thrilling SEC clash. The momentous victory sparked another court-storming celebration from the ecstatic Vanderbilt faithful.
Jason Edwards led the charge for Vanderbilt with 18 points, while Devin McGlockton chipped in 14. But it was Tyler Nickel who delivered the dagger, drilling a clutch 3-pointer with 1:50 remaining to put the Commodores ahead for good. Nickel finished with 11 points, and Jaylen Carey added 10 as Vanderbilt improved to 16-4 overall and 4-3 in SEC play.
Commodores Conquer Wildcats
Kentucky, which fell to 14-5 and 3-3 in the SEC, was led by Otega Oweh’s 21 points and 12 rebounds. Ansley Almonor contributed 12 points, while Jaxson Robinson had 11. However, the Wildcats were undone by their 17 turnovers, compared to just five for the Commodores.
Vanderbilt held a commanding 41-27 lead at halftime, but Kentucky came roaring back with a 31-10 run to take a 58-51 advantage. Undeterred, the Commodores responded with a 15-5 spurt of their own, capped by a steal and fast-break layup from McGlockton to seize a 66-63 lead with 4:05 to play.
Nickel’s Clutch Shot Seals the Deal
With the game hanging in the balance, it was Nickel who stepped up and delivered the biggest shot of the night. His 3-pointer with 1:50 left put Vanderbilt ahead to stay, and the Commodores closed the game on a 6-0 run to secure the upset victory. Kentucky failed to score after Oweh’s layup with 2:56 remaining.
“This team just keeps fighting and believing,” said Vanderbilt head coach Mike Wallace. “Our guys have a lot of heart and they never quit. To beat two top-10 teams in a row on our home floor is a testament to their resilience and determination.”
Back-to-Back Top-10 Triumphs
The win marked Vanderbilt’s first over Kentucky at Memorial Gymnasium since 2016 and came just a week after the Commodores knocked off then-No. 6 Tennessee. That court-storming celebration resulted in a $250,000 fine from the SEC, but the Vanderbilt fans couldn’t resist the urge to do it again after another monumental triumph.
- Vanderbilt’s recent home successes:
- Jan. 18: Defeated No. 6 Tennessee 71-68
- Jan. 25: Defeated No. 9 Kentucky 74-69
Looking Ahead
Kentucky will aim to bounce back when they continue their two-game road trip Tuesday night at Tennessee. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt will look to keep their momentum going when they embark on a two-game road swing starting Feb. 1 at Oklahoma.
As the college basketball season heats up, Vanderbilt is proving to be a formidable foe, especially on their home court. With a pair of top-10 scalps already on their resume, the Commodores are positioning themselves for a potential NCAA Tournament bid come March. If they can continue to play with the same grit and determination they’ve shown over the past two weeks, there’s no telling how far this Vanderbilt team can go.
