Feb. 5, 2011
Recap | Box Score | Quotes | Russell’s Photos 
| AP Photos
Vanderbilt 78, South Carolina 60
February 5, 2011 – Memorial Gymnasium – Nashville, Tenn.
Attendance: 14,316
Starting Lineup
– Vanderbilt started junior Brad Tinsley and sophomore John Jenkins at guard, juniors Jeffery Taylor and Lance Goulbourne at forward and junior Festus Ezeli at center.
– The Commodores move to 6-4 when stating this lineup.
– After missing the first start of his career at Florida, Taylor has now started 84 games as a Commodore. Tinsley started his 77th, Ezeli his 33rd, Jenkins his 27th, and Goulbourne the 11th of his career.
Postgame Notes:
– Vanderbilt improves to an even 24-24 against South Carolina and 13-10 when playing in Memorial Gym.
– Head coach Kevin Stallings improves to 11-13 against the Gamecocks and 5-7 at home.
– Stallings also improves to 88-96 in SEC play over his 12 seasons in the conference.
– Vanderbilt wore their gold uniforms for the first time this season. The Commodores are 12-1 in their white uniforms and 3-5 while wearing black.
– The Commodores won the opening tip and are now 15-3 when doing so.
– John Jenkins made a three-point basket with 14:15 remaining in the first half to extend Vanderbilt’s consecutive game streak with a three-pointer to 784.
– VU went 2-2 from the free throw line in the first half, tying a season-low for free throws attempted in a half. The Commodores went 1-2 in games against Presbyterian and Western Kentucky. It was the second time this season Vanderbilt went perfect from the line in the first half (15-15 vs. Arkansas).
– Leading 30-23 at the break, it marked the first time that Vanderbilt was on top at halftime in SEC play since leading Tennessee 30-20 on January 15. The Commodores improve to 2-2 when doing so.
– The 11 three-pointers made were the most by Vanderbilt in SEC play this season. The Commodores’ previous best was eight against Ole Miss and Mississippi State.
– Vanderbilt shot 55% (11-20) from beyond the arc, marking the highest three-point efficiency on the season for the Commodores. VU is now 5-0 when shooting 50% or better from beyond the arc.
– The Commodores shot 50.9% from the field, improving to 8-1 when shooting 50% or greater on total field goals.
– Vanderbilt outscored South Carolina 22-8 in points off of turnovers, 19-8 in second chance points, and 28-22 in paint points.
First-half notes:
– Vanderbilt won the opening tipoff.
– John Jenkins gave Vanderbilt a 9-6 lead with 14:15 remaining in the half when his three-point basket extended the Vanderbilt streak to 784 straight games with a triple.
– South Carolina rallied off a 7-0 run to take a 13-9 lead midway through the period.
– An 8-2 stretch by the Commodores, capped off by a three-pointer by Tinsley, gave Vanderbilt a 21-17 lead with 7:10 to play in the half.
– VU went 2-2 from the free throw line in the half, tying a season-low for free throws attempted in a half. The Commodores went 1-2 in games against Presbyterian and Western Kentucky.
– Rod Odom hit a three-pointer with three seconds left in the half to give Vanderbilt a 30-23 lead at the break.
– The first half lead marked the first time the Commodores were on top at the break during SEC action since leading Tennessee 30-20.
– John Jenkins led the team with nine points.
– Festus Ezeli added six points and five rebounds in the first half.
– Brad Tinsley chipped in with five points and three assists in the opening period.
– Lead changes: 5
– Ties: 4
– Largest lead: Vanderbilt 7, South Carolina 4
Second-half notes:
– Rod Odom’s three-pointer with 16:05 to play in the game gave Vanderbilt its first double-digit lead of the game at 39-29.
– A 14-3 run, highlighted by two three-pointers and two free throws by Jeffery Taylor gave Vanderbilt a 58-36 lead with 10:18 to play in the game.
– Brad Tinsley’s two free throws with 3.5 seconds to play in the game gave Vanderbilt the 78-60 lead they finished the game with.
– Lead Changes: 0
– Ties: 0
– Largest lead: Vanderbilt 22
Player notes:
– Rod Odom tied career highs with three three-pointers made and two assists.
– With 13 points, Brad Tinsley recorded his 12th double-digit scoring game of the season and 39th of his career. His nine assists are a career high in SEC games. His previous best was seven against Ole Miss on February 18, 2010.
– Jeffery Taylor’s 17 points marked the 18th time he recorded double-digits in points this season and the team-leading 64th time of his career. His four three-pointers were also a career high. His previous best was three, against Presbyterian on November 12, 2010.
– John Jenkins went 4-5 from the free throw line, missing only his second shot from the charity stripe in SEC play. He is now 50-52 from the line in conference action. Jenkins also led the Commodores with 18 points, his team-leading 21st double digit scoring game of the season.
– Festus Ezeli finished with 17 points and eight rebounds. It was the 15th double digit scoring game for the center on the season. He went 7-13 from the floor, marking a career high in field goal attempts. His seven made field goals were the most against an SEC opponent in his career.