Vanderbilt 67, Florida 61: Freshman Riley LaChance scored 15 points as the Commodores led wire to wire in beating the visiting Gators.
Damian Jones added 13 points and James Siakam had 12 points and a season-high 11 rebounds for Vanderbilt (12-10, 2-7 SEC), which snapped a seven-game losing streak. The Commodores, who also received 11 points and five assists from Wade Baldwin IV, enjoyed 42-26 rebound and 29-13 free-throw advantages while matching a season high with nine blocked shots - five by Siakam and four for Jones.
Michael Frazier II scored 21 to pace Florida (12-10, 5-4), which lost for the fourth time in its last six games. Eli Carter added 12 points but was 5-of-17 from the field for the Gators, who were whistled for a season-high 26 fouls and saw leading scorer and rebounder Dorian Finney-Smith finish with four points and four rebounds after fouling out with 8:53 remaining in the game.
After trailing by eight at halftime, Florida scored six quick points to open the second half, but Vanderbilt answered with a 6-0 run to push its lead to 38-29. The Gators closed to within 54-51 on Carter's jumper with 6:55 to play, but LaChance hit a trey and Baldwin sank three straight free throws as the hosts countered with a 6-0 run over the ensuing two minutes and Florida was only able to get as close as four points the rest of the way .
Vanderbilt jumped out to a 15-0 lead as Florida missed its first nine shots. The Gators’ first basket came with 12:07 left in the first half and started a 10-0 run for the visitors, but the Commodores recovered to take a 31-23 lead into the break.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Vanderbilt’s win was only its second in the series’ last eight games, but the Commodores are 42-15 at home against Florida. … Frazier has made 31 straight free throws after a 5-of-5 performance Tuesday. … Florida coach Billy Donovan remains two wins away from 500 for his career.
Florida | Vanderbilt | |
Michael Frazier II 21 | Scoring | Riley LaChance 15 |
Chris Chiozza 4 | Assists | Wade Baldwin IV 5 |
Michael Frazier II 5 | Rebounds | James Siakam 11 |
Michael Frazier II 5 | Free Throws Made | James Siakam 10 |
Michael Frazier II 6 | Steals | Wade Baldwin IV 3 |
Dorian Finney-Smith 1 | Blocks | James Siakam 5 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Florida | 61 | 36.8 | 6-19 | 13-16 | 7 | 25 | 2 | 10 | 8 |
Vanderbilt | 67 | 40.0 | 6-16 | 29-42 | 12 | 36 | 9 | 6 | 18 |