No. 15 Kentucky lowers boom on Vanderbilt in second half

Field Level Media|published: Wed 6th March, 23:23 2024

Mar 6, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Malik Presley (13) drives to the basket during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. credits: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Rob Dillingham scored 23 points off the bench to lead No. 15 Kentucky to a 93-77 victory over Vanderbilt in Southeastern Conference play on Wednesday night at Lexington, Ky.

Antonio Reeves added 20 points and six rebounds for the Wildcats (22-8, 12-5 SEC), who won their fourth consecutive game. D.J. Wagner tallied 11 points and Justin Edwards added 10 for Kentucky.

Freshman Reed Sheppard matched his career best of 11 assists for the Wildcats, who put away the Commodores with a strong second half.

Tyrin Lawrence established season bests of 23 points and nine rebounds for Vanderbilt (8-22, 3-14). Ezra Manjon had 17 points and seven assists, Ven-Allen Lubin had 13 points and eight rebounds and Paul Lewis added 10 points for the Commodores, who lost for the fifth time in their past six games.

Kentucky shot 50.7 percent from the field, including 11 of 27 from 3-point range. The Wildcats scored over 90 points for the fourth straight game and outrebounded Vanderbilt 44-32.

The Commodores made 44.9 percent of their shots and were 5 of 23 from behind the arc.

Vanderbilt trailed 55-52 after a dunk by Lawrence with 13:44 remaining before the Wildcats went on a 13-3 burst. Dillingham scored 11 points during the run, including a 3-pointer that gave Kentucky a 68-55 advantage with 9:25 left.

A basket by Reeves increased the score to 76-60 with 6:08 to go. Later, Wagner canned a 3-pointer to make it 84-65 with 4:10 remaining.

Vanderbilt made a charge as Lubin scored five straight points and Manjon added a three-point play to move within 11 with 2:52 left.

A three-point play by Reeves made it 89-75 with 1:08 remaining as the Wildcats closed it out.

Dillingham scored 12 points in the first half and Reeves added 11 as Kentucky held a 45-40 halftime edge.

Manjon had 12 points in the half for Vanderbilt and Lawrence scored 11.

Manjon's layup gave Vanderbilt a 26-20 lead with 7:16 remaining before Kentucky made a charge. Sheppard's 3-pointer gave the Wildcats a 36-34 edge with 1:39 left.

Dillingham made two treys and Reeves added one as Kentucky took the five-point lead into the break.

—Field Level Media