Vanderbilt spreads scoring around early, devours Austin Peay

Field Level Media|published: 12/21/2024, 5:43pm EST

Vanderbilt basketball head coach Mark Byington directs his players during an NCAA college basketball game against California Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn.

Jason Edwards had 16 points, but he did most of his damage after Vanderbilt's balanced scoring dominated the first half in pummeling visiting Austin Peay 85-55 in Nashville, Tenn., on Saturday.

Tyler Nickel scored 12 points and Devin McGlockton had 11 with nine rebounds, while A.J. Hoggard, MJ Collins and Jaylen Carey each scored nine for the Commodores, who put the game away with an 11-0 surge, amid a 17-1 run through the first 10 minutes of the opening half. Nine Vanderbilt players scored in the half.

Chris Manon finished with eight points and eight boards for Vanderbilt (11-1), which shot 62.1 percent and went 6-of-10 from 3-point range in the first half.

The Commodores, who won only nine games last season, won their fifth straight game. Their only loss this season was to Drake 81-70 in the Charleston Classic championship contest.

Edwards, who entered second in the SEC averaging 19.2 points, had six in the first half, but he helped Vanderbilt maintain control later. The Commodores shot 60.4 percent overall while recording 18 assists on 29 goals.

LJ Thomas scored 20 for Austin Peay (4-8), which doomed itself by shooting 1-of-11 from 3-point range and committing nine turnovers in the first half. The Governors shot just 31.7 percent overall in losing their sixth straight game.

Austin Peay's Isaac Haney opened the scoring with a bucket, then Vanderbilt scored the next nine points. It began with a basket from McGlockton and included a dunk from Manon and a 3-pointer by Hoggard.

The Commodores also had their way with the Governors at the other end of the court. Vanderbilt held a 16-2 advantage on points off turnovers in the first half.

Hoggard, the transfer from Michigan State, knocked down two more treys as Vanderbilt expanded its lead to 16-6. Moments later, prized freshman Tyler Tanner delivered the game's highlight by sending the ball off the backboard for Collins to slam home and put Vanderbilt ahead 27-7 with 10:13 remaining before the break.

--Field Level Media