NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt men’s basketball is 4-0 for the first time since the 2018-19 season, picking up a 94-81 win over Jackson State (0-4) on Saturday at Memorial Gymnasium.
The Dores took a 3-0 lead in the opening seconds on a three from graduate AJ Hoggard and never looked back. Vanderbilt opened on a 9-0 run before Jackson State got into the scoring column. The Tigers clawed their way back into the game, cutting the deficit to just one with the score 18-17 at the 12:28 mark. Despite a back-and-forth next few minutes, the Dores regained control ahead of the break. Vanderbilt went on a 21-9 run to close out the half, with junior Jason Edwards scoring on multiple possessions. The Dores took a 52-36 lead into the half, marking the first time Vanderbilt has scored 50 or more in the opening period since January 30, 2021, against South Carolina.
Vanderbilt maintained the offensive pressure in the second half, drilling seven threes in the period while committing just three turnovers. The Commodores controlled the game, leading by 23 at the final media timeout before closing out the Tigers in the 94-81 victory.
The Dores were led in scoring for the third straight game by Edwards, who generated 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting while also leading the team in assists with four. Sophomore Jaylen Carey grabbed nine rebounds off the bench to lead Vanderbilt on the glass. As a team, the Dores drilled 16 threes, marking the first time connecting on 15 or more since 2022. Vanderbilt forced double digit turnovers for the second consecutive game after an 18-steal performance against Cal.
Jackson State graduate Shannon Grant was the leading scorer for the Tigers, dropping a 16-point, 10-rebound double double. Redshirt sophomore Jayme Mitchell Jr. added 15 points in the loss. Jackson State used free throws to hang around, shooting 24-of-30 from the charity stripe to the Dores’ 12-of-17.
Vanderbilt goes on the road for the first time this season in a Thursday matchup against Nevada (3-0) in the Charleston Classic. Tip off is set for 6:30 p.m. CT at TD Arena in Charleston, South Carolina, with coverage on ESPNU.
