
In an electrifying display of collegiate basketball, Vanderbilt University's men's team clinched a nail-biting victory over the University of Tennessee, with a final score of 76-75. This Saturday's win is particularly noteworthy as it marks the Commodores' first triumph over the Volunteers since their previous close encounter in February 2023, according to WSMV. The echoes of "Memorial Magic" reverberated through Vanderbilt's Memorial Gymnasium as the home team halted a late surge by Tennessee, who trailed by two points in the frenetic last minute of the game.
Chris Mañon's pivotal block of Chaz Lanier's layup in the closing seconds—a hero's move—secured the Commodores' slender lead. Despite Tennessee's attempt to snatch the win with a foul in the transition, which led to Lanier scoring one of two free throws, Vanderbilt emerged victorious while fans swarmed onto the court, the Vanderbilt Athletics website reported. As Lanier missed the critical second free throw, relief was palpable among the Vanderbilt supporters, ensuring their team's first win over a ranked opponent since their victory against Kentucky in March 2023.
On Tennessee's side, the defeat was highlighted by their valiant comeback in the game's dying moments. Cutting down a 16-point deficit with under 11 minutes left, Tennessee narrowed the gap to a mere two points with their concentrated effort in the final stretch. Despite the loss, the Volunteers showcased their prowess with fifth-year guard Chaz Lanier contributing a team-high 17 points, and their shooting statistics remained robust with a 48 percent overall, nearly 48 percent from the three-point line, and over 81 percent in free throws, UTSports detailed.
For Vanderbilt, Jason Edwards led the scoring chart with 18 points, closely followed by Jaylen Carey who notched a double-double with 14 points and the game-high 10 rebounds. The Commodores' bench also played a pivotal role by outscoring the Volunteers' reserves 20-8, while capitalizing on second-chance points by an 18-9 tally. Vanderbilt's strategic prowess and effective bench utilization were crucial in overturning a late-stage deficit and steering their team to victory. The Commodores next face off against Alabama on Tuesday evening, holding a record of 15-3 overall and 3-2 in the SEC, as reported by Vanderbilt Athletics.