Three players scored in double figures, including 14 from Liam Robbins, as host Vanderbilt snapped a two-game losing streak with a 70-62 victory over Alabama A&M on Thursday afternoon in Nashville, Tenn.
Ezra Manjon and Jordan Wright each added 12 as the Commodores (6-6) improved to 7-0 all-time against the Bulldogs (4-8).
A valiant Alabama A&M effort was fueled by Olisa Blaise Akonobi, who came through with a double-double, scoring 14 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
Messiah Thompson had game highs of 15 points and six assists. Garrett Hicks scored 10 for the Bulldogs, who were facing a Power 5 opponent for the second game in a row.
The game was moved up four hours due to the threat of inclement weather in Nashville.
The Commodores led the Bulldogs 34-28 at the half, connecting on seven 3-pointers, including one by Trey Thomas that put Vanderbilt ahead 34-22 with 1:28 to play. Alabama A&M closed the half on a 6-0 run to trim its deficit to six.
In a tightly contested game throughout, Tyrin Lawrence knocked down two clutch free throws to put Vanderbilt up 58-56 with 5:44 to go.
Cameron Tucker split two free throws with 4:59 remaining to cut the Vanderbilt lead to one, but the Commodores held on in a game that featured six ties and five lead changes.
A Wright 3-pointer with 44 seconds left sealed the deal for the Commodores.
Alabama A&M shot 44.8 percent from the floor, including 40 percent from 3-point range. Vanderbilt connected on 38.6 percent of its shots, including 23.5 percent from the 3-point line. However, Vandy finishes 18 of 23 from the free-throw line.
Alabama A&M, on the other hand, earned just nine trips to the foul line, making four.
The Commodores got 47 points from their bench as they improved to 4-3 at home on the season.
--Field Level Media
Alabama A&M | Vanderbilt | |
Messiah Thompson 15 | Scoring | Liam Robbins 14 |
Messiah Thompson 6 | Assists | Jordan Wright 4 |
Olisa Blaise Akonobi 11 | Rebounds | Liam Robbins 9 |
Olisa Blaise Akonobi 2 | Free Throws Made | Liam Robbins 6 |
Austin Harvell 1 | Steals | Ezra Manjon 2 |
N/A | Blocks | Liam Robbins 2 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Alabama A&M | 62 | 44.8 | 6-15 | 4-9 | 16 | 24 | 0 | 5 | 11 |
Vanderbilt | 70 | 38.6 | 8-34 | 18-23 | 14 | 41 | 5 | 6 | 12 |