Aug. 14, 2017
Senior Matthew Fisher-Davis scored 17 points and junior guard Larry Austin, Jr., added 14 points in game two of the Commodores’ tour of the U.S. Virgin Islands in a 61-56 defeat at the hands of defending Canadian national champion Carleton Monday evening at the University of the Virgin Islands.
The Commodores and Ravens played a very competitive and spirited game Monday, a contest that featured eight ties and 12 lead changes, but Carleton made clutch, contested shots to come away with the hard-fought win.
Vanderbilt took a 41-37 lead with 8:57 to go in regulation, but the Ravens responded with an 8-0 run to take the lead for good, although the Commodores made it interesting in the final minute of regulation. With 15 seconds left, Carleton missed a 1-and-1 with a 59-56 lead, but on Vanderbilt’s ensuing possession, the Commodores turned the ball back over to the Ravens, who knocked down two free throws to make the final score, 61-56.
Key Stats
The Commodores were limited to only 28.1% from the floor and 15.0% from three in the game. Vanderbilt also only had five assists on 16 made baskets. Vanderbilt did outrebound the Ravens, 40-36, and converted on 21 of 28 free throw attempts, compared to only six of nine for Carleton.
All 12 players available to the Commodores played in the game, with Fisher-Davis playing a team-high 29 minutes. Jeff Roberson (26), Austin, Jr., (23), LaChance (22), and Saben Lee (22) all played 20 minutes or more. Matt Ryan and Isaiah Rice will not play on the trip due to injury.
Of Note
Carleton has won 13 of the last 15 Canadian Collegiate National Championships. The two they did not win were won by Brock University, who the Commodores play on Wednesday.
Coming Up
After the team’s first and only day off of the tour Tuesday, the Commodores return to the University of the Virgin Islands to play Canadian collegiate team Brock University on Wednesday. Tip off is set for 4 p.m. ET. The Commodores are set for a rematch with Carleton on Thursday evening at 6 p.m. ET.
The Commodores’ day off on Tuesday will feature a catamaran snorkel tour around the island of St. Thomas.