NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Freshman Jeffery Taylor scored 18 points as Vanderbilt snapped a two-game losing streak with a 78-55 victory over Alabama A&M on Wednesday night.
“It was critical for us at this point in the season,” Kevin Stallings, VU head coach, noted about the win. “We’ve already got ourselves behind the eight ball and it was an important game for us. I thought our guys approached it as an important game.”
Taylor was 8 of 9 from the field and scored six straight points — which included a pair of dunks — in the second half as the Commodores (6-3) stretched their lead to 65-44 with 6:11 left. Taylor scored in double figures for the eighth time in nine games.
“I think we came out and played defense and I think that’s what created buckets for us,” said Taylor. “A lot of shots went in.”
A.J. Ogilvy had 17 points and eight rebounds, and Jermaine Beal added 14 points, five assists, five rebounds and three steals for Vanderbilt, which scored the first seven points and never trailed.
Alabama A&M (1-4) was within two, 23-21, after Trant Simpson’s 3-pointer with 6:11 to go in the first half. Simpson was 7 of 18 from the field for 18 points. Casey Cantey added 10 points and eight rebounds for the Bulldogs.
