CHARLESTON, S.C. — Vanderbilt’s six-game winning streak to open the season came to a close Sunday night as the Commodores fell to Drake by a score of 81-70 in the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic final.
Jason Edwards dropped a season-high 26 points with 10 coming from the charity stripe. He was named to the Shriners Children’s All-Tournament team, averaging 17.3 points and 1.6 steals per game over the event.
Vanderbilt (6-1) and Drake (6-0) kept it close in the first half with no team gaining greater than a six-point lead. The Commodores trailed the Bulldogs 34-31 at the half.
In the second half, Drake’s scoring attack and relentless defense created a cushion the Dores could not overcome. The Bulldogs shot 57.7 percent compared to the Commodores’ 41.4 percent in the second period.
AJ Hoggard, MJ Collins and Chris Mañon all added nine points for the Dores. Vanderbilt grabbed 10 steals in the loss.
Tournament MVP Bennett Stirtz had 16 points and 11 assists for Drake in the final. Cam Manyawu went for 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Mitch Mascari scored 17. Daniel Abreu had 15.
Vanderbilt returns to Memorial Gymnasium on Friday to take on Tennessee Tech at 2 p.m.
