Dec. 16, 2017
By Zac Ellis
VUCommodores.com
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt’s return home was not as welcoming as the Commodores likely hoped.
On the heels of strong rebounding and a balanced offense, visiting Memphis managed to rally and top Vanderbilt, 71-60, on Sunday at Memorial Gym.
Here’s how it went down:
THE SKINNY: Vanderbilt jumped out to a 15-9 lead at the end of the first quarter after forcing Memphis into five turnovers in the opening period. But the Tigers roared back in the second quarter and trailed the Commodores by just one, 29-28, at half. They used that momentum to come alive in the third quarter, hitting 9-14 shots to win the period, 24-16. That quarter sucked the air right out of the Commodores’ sails.
TURNING POINT: Trailing by six points after one quarter, Memphis began the second on an 8-2 run to tie the game, 17-17. The Tigers went on to win the period 19-14 and faced just a one-point deficit at intermission. That gave the visiting squad juice as it headed into what became a defining third quarter.
IMPACT PLAYER: Memphis forward Cheyenne Creighton. The Tigers’ leading scorer and rebounder was every bit of those things against Vanderbilt, dropping 13 points and grabbing 12 boards on Sunday.
STARTLING STAT: 20 – offensive rebounds by Memphis. The Tigers not only took care of the glass, but they made Vanderbilt pay by scoring 25 second-chance points. Those extra opportunities made the difference in a tight ballgame in which Memphis outrebounded Vandeberbilt, 44-24.
WHAT IT MEANS: Vanderbilt had a chance to win for the third time in four games. Instead, it drops to 3-8 on the year.
WHAT’S NEXT: Vanderbilt returns to Memorial Gym for a matchup with N.C. State on Dec. 19. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. CT on SEC Network+.
Zac Ellis is the Writer and Digital Media Editor for Vanderbilt Athletics.
