CHARLESTON, S.C. – AJ Hoggard scored 18 points and added seven assists as Vanderbilt men’s basketball earned a thrilling 73-71 victory over Nevada to advance to the semifinals of the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic on Thursday night.
Hoggard was one of three Commodores in double figures on the night. Jason Edwards added 16 points with three steals and a pair of assists while MJ Collins, Jr., chipped in a season-best 15 points. Both Devin McGlockton and Jaylen Carey finished with nine points and eight rebounds.
Nevada (4-1) raced out to a 16-6 lead before Vanderbilt (5-0) found its footing against the Wolf Pack defense. The Commodores reeled off a 20-4 run over the next 5:30 to take a 26-20 advantage. Collins provided the spark in the run, scoring 11 of his 15 points during the stretch.
The Dores led 37-35 at the break before Nevada briefly took the lead to open the second half. Trailing 43-41 with 17 minutes to play, Vanderbilt went on a 12-0 run to seize control. Just as it seemed the Dores were poised to pull away, an extended stoppage to fix the scoreboard calmed the momentum.
Nevada chipped away at the Vandy lead, closing within 67-66 with 2:06 to play. The Commodores, however, had the answers down the stretch and produced one last stop on the defensive end to seal the 73-71 victory.
The Commodores shot 47.5 percent from the field and hit 6-of-15 threes on the night. Vanderbilt forced 16 Nevada turnovers while notching 10 steals. Nevada shot 53.7 percent from the field and was also 6-of-15 from three. The Wolf Pack edged the Dores 33-30 on the glass. Nevada was led by Tyler Rollison and Kobe Sanders with 13 points apiece.
Vanderbilt advances to the semifinals where it will face Seton Hall in a 5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT tipoff on ESPN2.
