NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Nate Ament hit a go-ahead jumper with 54 seconds to play as Tennessee closed the game on a 5-0 run to edge No. 19 Vanderbilt, 69-65, on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Gymnasium.
Tyler Tanner led Vanderbilt (21-6, 8-6 SEC) with 16 points, despite battling illness for a second-straight game. Duke Miles added 12 in his return to action and Devin McGlockton 11 to give the Commodores three in double figures. Jalen Washington scored eight points while adding 10 rebounds and six blocks in the loss.
Ja’Kobi Gillespie powered Tennessee (20-7, 10-4 SEC) with 17 points. Ament finished with 13 as the only other Volunteer in double digits.
Saturday’s rivalry featured 20 lead changes and another seven ties. Neither side led by more than four points for the final 11:51 of action, but Vandy missed its final four shots from the field as Tennessee secured the victory.
Tennessee held a 39-30 advantage on the glass and a 12-6 edge in second chance points. The Vols also outscored the Commodores 40-22 in the paint.
Vanderbilt returns to action Wednesday night when the Commodores host Georgia for Senior Night at Memorial Gymnasium. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. on SEC Network.
