KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A fired-up Tennessee Volunteers team overturned a challenging first half deficit to triumph over the Vanderbilt Commodores 81-76 on Saturday afternoon at Thompson-Boling Arena. The spirited contest saw Tennessee rally after trailing by as much as 16 points, demonstrating their resilience and the importance of home-court advantage.
Vanderbilt began the game with impressive shooting, controlling the floor early on. They left the first half with a 44-31 lead, shooting 17-of-31 from the field. Key contributions came from Jason Edwards, who led all scorers with 24 points, and Jaylen Carey, who added 18 points and secured seven rebounds.
“It was a heck of a game,” Vanderbilt coach Mark Byington reflected on the match. “We had our opportunities there in the second half [to] make the play, make the stop, make the shot, make the free throw, and we didn’t. And they did.”
The Volunteers, ranked fifth nationally, faced considerable pressure as they sought to even the season series after suffering a heart-wrenching defeat earlier to the Commodores. Their performance would see the team explode onto the floor after the halftime break, instilled with urgency and determination.
Turning the tide, Zakai Zeigler emerged as Tennessee's catalyst during the second half, scoring all 22 of his points after the break and exhibiting leadership under pressure. The sophomore’s ability to consistently penetrate and score was pivotal for the Volunteers, who shot 65.4% from the field in the second half.
“I just let the emotions get to me in the game,” Zeigler admitted about his initial struggle. “I’ve got to handle itbetter in those situations. Simple asthat.” Following the technical foul he received midway through the second half, Zeigler quickly responded by hitting three-pointers, sparking his team’s comeback.
Chaz Lanier also stepped up for Tennessee, contributing 21 points and hitting key baskets down the stretch to maintain momentum as they regained control. “We found our rhythm and played how we needed to,” Lanier said, reflecting on their second-half performance.
The Commodores displayed toughness and skill, particularly in the opening half, but their inability to maintain their momentum proved costly. They held the rebounding advantage at 21-10 before halftime, but Tennessee outpaced them significantly afterward, finishing with 36 points down low against Vanderbilt’s 31.
Vanderbilt managed to shoot 12-of-27 from beyond the arc but struggled overall defensively as Tennessee exploited their opportunities with increased aggression. The momentum seemed to shift dramatically as Vanderbilt fell victim to foul trouble, losing both Carey and Devin McGlockton through disqualification.
“We’ve got to keep going, because sometimes success is one more step or two more steps, just right around the corner,” Byington remarked after the game, highlighting his outlook amid their challenges. “We’re not there, but you add the word yet, and we’ve got to keep going, and we’re a good basketball team.”
This experience not only underlines the competitiveness of the Southeastern Conference but also raises questions about Vanderbilt's depth as they prepare for the remainder of their season. With hopes still alive for an NCAA tournament spot, the team will need to learn from such close battles.
The memorable matchup culminates with Tennessee regaining their footing, improving to 21-5 overall and 8-5 SEC. The Volunteers are aiming for consistency as they look to finish strong before heading toward the postseason.
Vanderbilt’s next challenge awaits them on the road against No. 15 Kentucky, aiming to put their five-game road losing streak behind them. The stage is set for another clash as the Commodores seek to solidify their place among the NCAA tournament hopefuls.