The Tennessee Volunteers staged a thrilling comeback to defeat the Vanderbilt Commodores 81-76 at the Food City Center on Saturday, February 15, 2025. The victory marked not just another notch on the win column for the No. 5 Volunteers, but also served as payback after the Commodores edged them previously this season.
Trailing by as many as 16 points during the first half and down 44-31 at halftime, the Volunteers showcased their tenacity as they rallied back with energy and enthusiasm. Senior guard Zakai Zeigler stepped up, scoring all 22 of his points during the second half, orchestrated plays, and registered eight assists to lead his team to victory.
The game started slowly for the Volunteers, who fell behind early as Vanderbilt jumped out to a 6-0 lead within the first minute and extended it to 30-17 midway through the first half. Their struggles were evident as they shot just 46.2% from the field and allowed considerably higher numbers from their opponents, who exploited the paint as well. Vanderbilt’s offensive efforts were bolstered by Jason Edwards, who led the Commodores with 24 points, and Jaylen Carey, who added 18 points off the bench before fouling out late. Their dominance down low contributed to their early lead.
Yet, Tennessee's defense, known to be among the nation's best, made adjustments after the break. The Volunteers dominated the boards 20-12 during the second half and tightened up their defensive strategies. With every momentum swing, the Volunteers found themselves edging closer to leveling the score.
Losing no time, Tennessee opened the second half with renewed vigor. They chipped away at Vanderbilt's advantage, reducing the deficit to single digits early on. After Zeigler hit consecutive 3-pointers, the game was tied at 55 with just under ten minutes remaining, much to the delight of the home crowd, which totaled 21,678 packing the arena.
With under five minutes left, the game saw multiple lead changes. The Volunteers found themselves up 67-63 after Chaz Lanier’s important 3-pointer. But with the game still razor-thin, Vanderbilt's players weren’t going down easily, responding each time with scores of their own. The final few moments played out tensely, with Edwards hitting significant shots to keep the Commodores within reach.
Coming down to the wire, Zeigler executed flawlessly, hitting layups to widen the lead. His precision from the free-throw line (going 4-of-4) coupled with Lanier's ability to seal the game with late foul shots ensured the Volunteers would take this one home. The final push culminated with Zeigler driving to score the game-sealing layup with just 19 seconds remaining.
This victory was especially sweet for the Volunteers as it marked their first comeback win after trailing by 15 or more points since March 3, 2020. It also improved their record to 21-5 (8-5 SEC) on the season and solidified their reputation as one of the top teams to watch moving forward.
Following the game, fan enthusiasm swelled as they celebrated the energy-filled performance exhibited by the Volunteers. The significant win put them on the radar as they prepare for their next matchup against Texas A&M, one week away. With this win against their rival, Tennessee not only proved their resilience but sent out serious warning signals to their upcoming competitors.
Overall, this nail-biting finish against Vanderbilt not only showcased the impressive skill of the players but also highlighted their commitment to teamwork and sportsmanship. The Volunteers' ability to execute under pressure, coupled with their strong defensive adjustments, is sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats as the season continues.