No. 17 Vanderbilt rides strong defense to win over SMU

Field Level Media|published: Wed 3rd December, 23:32 2025

Dec 3, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Tyler Tanner (3) dribbles past Southern Methodist University Mustangs guard Boopie Miller (2) during the first half at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Tyler Tanner pumped in 26 points and No. 17 Vanderbilt put together strong stretches in both halves to beat SMU 88-69 on Wednesday in Nashville, handing the Mustangs their first loss of the season.

The game was part of the ACC/SEC Challenge.

Tanner shot 10-for-14 from the field with two 3-pointers. Devin McGlockton, who sank his first six of his shots from the field, scored 13 points for the Commodores (9-0). Tyler Nickel posted 12 points, and Duke Miles had 10 points.

Vanderbilt was in good shape throughout the game despite shooting 6-for-24 on 3-point attempts. The Commodores committed only five turnovers.

Boopie Miller finished with 17 points and Samet Yigitoglu notched 16 points and eight rebounds for SMU (8-1). Jaron Pierre Jr.'s 13 points and B.J. Edwards' 10 points also helped the Mustangs.

The final basket from the floor for the Mustangs came from Edwards with 6:50 remaining, trimming the deficit to 73-61.

SMU's string of 13 consecutive victories in nonconference regular-season games came to a close. The Mustangs won their previous game in overtime at Mississippi State on Friday, but their second road outing of the season didn't go as well.

SMU's 42% shooting included a 2-for-17 (11.8%) mark on 3-point attempts. The Mustangs outscored Vanderbilt 17-10 on free throws.

After holding a lead that hovered around 10 points, Vanderbilt finally expanded the margin on Tanner's jumper and AK Okereke's 3-pointer for a 78-62 edge, prompting SMU to call a timeout with 5:40 left. The margin grew to 82-64 as the Commodores were locking down on defense.

The Mustangs were in a rut as they managed their final eight points on free throws.

The Commodores led 48-38 at halftime and extended that when Nickel sank a 3-pointer for the first basket of the second half. SMU didn't have a field goal in the last two minutes of the opening half, with Tyler Harris' jumper for Vanderbilt and Miles' bucket on a drive accounting for the last two baskets before the break.

Vanderbilt reserves outscored SMU's backups by 18-7 by game's end.

--Field Level Media

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