NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Eric McClellan scored 20 points in his Vanderbilt debut to lead the Commodores to a 66-60 exhibition win over Alabama-Huntsville. McClellan was one of three `Dores to score in doubles figures at Memorial Gym, Wednesday night.
The Tulsa transfer was 5-of-16 from the floor, including 2-of-10 from outside the arc. McClellan also did a good job of getting to the line all night long, converting on 8-of-10 from the charity stripe.
Seniors Rod Odom and Kyle Fuller also put up double-digits. Odom had 15 points on 6-of-13 and 3-of-9 from outside. The 6-foot-9 big man also pulled down a game-high eight rebounds. Fuller had 12 points and picked up four boards and four assists.
Vanderbilt jumped out to an early 7-0 lead on buckets from Odom, Josh Henderson and McClellan, but Alabama-Huntsville never let the game get out of reach as Troy Saxton and Wayne Dedrick combined for 13 first half points.
The `Dores closed out the final 2:30 of the first half on a 7-0 run, to take a 30-22 lead into the locker room.
Vandy extended its lead all the way to 12 in the second half, before UAH, led by Dedrick went on a 15-2 run. The Chargers guard scored 12 of his game-high 25 points in a two minute stretch when he hit four-straight threes, and gave the visitors their first lead of the game.
That lead was short-lived however, as the Fuller quickly converted on two free-throws to give Vandy the one point advantage with just over nine minutes remaining.
The Commodores closed out the Chargers, hitting four of their last six shots and converting on 11-of-14 from the line, to seal the exhibition win.
Freshmen Damian Jones and Luke Kornet made their Vandy debuts in the win. Jones scored three points, all at the free throw line, to go along with three boards and two steals, before he fouled out with three minutes to play. Kornet logged two minutes and did not record a shot.
Vanderbilt finished the game shooting 41 percent (21-of-51) from the floor and 26 percent (6-of-23) from outside the arc. The `Dores out-rebounded the Chargers 40-27 and forced eight turnovers in the contest.
Alabama-Huntsville shot 43 percent (23-of-54) and knocked down 10-of-30 (33 percent) from long range.
The Commodores officially open their season at Memorial Gym against Georgia State on Tuesday, November 12 at 7 p.m.
