NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Vanderbilt men’s basketball defense shined in a decisive opening win over Bellarmine, 93-47, Monday at Memorial Gymnasium.
Tyler Tanner led the way for the Commodores, scoring a team-high 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting to go along with two rebounds and a game-best four steals. Burke Büyüktuncel and Ace Glass recorded 13 and 12 points, respectively, while Sebastian Williams-Adams just missed a double-double with nine points and a career-high nine rebounds including four on the offensive end. Chandler Bing tallied 11 points on 4-of-6 attempts also.
Vandy’s frontcourt collected 11 offensive rebounds in the contest, and the Dores shot 37 percent from deep and 60 percent overall. On the defensive end, Vanderbilt notched nine steals and held the Knights to 38 percent shooting.
It marked the largest margin of victory in an opening game for the Dore since 1913 versus Middle Tennessee.
The Commodores outpaced the Knights all night, not once trailing. A Bing steal and successful and-1 marked the end of the back-and-forth play at 17-14, as Vandy scored the next 12 points and would go on to close the first half on a 30-3 run.
The Dores maintained their consistent perimeter presence in the second half, as a 3-point field goal from Glass extended the lead to 51-17. Vanderbilt’s run reached 41-3 when Tanner found Bing for a long-distance lob prompting a Bellarmine time out. The Dores defense went 10:15 without giving up a basket during the stretch.
DeMarcus Surratt led Bellarmine with nine points, making all four attempts from the field. Sam Donald paced the Knights with four rebounds.
Next up, Vanderbilt will play host to Wake Forest Thursday at 5 p.m. at Memorial Gymnasium.