LAS VEGAS (AP) Luke Kornett had 18 points and six rebounds to lead Vanderbilt to a 76-66 win over Santa Clara in the Continental Las Vegas Invitational on Friday night at the Orleans Arena.
Riley LaChance added 17 points, Matthew Fisher-Davis had 13 and Jeff Roberson added 12 for Vanderbilt (3-3).
Jared Brownridge led Santa Clara with 36 points. It was the senior’s ninth career game with 30 or more points.
Vanderbilt shot 14 of 26 from the field in the first half to build a 41-23 lead at halftime. The Commodores’ hot perimeter shooting coupled with Santa Clara’s stagnant offense that produced 10-of-24 shooting from the floor in the first 20 minutes.
But the Broncos wouldn’t go away, opening the second half on a 17-3 run to cut the 18-point deficit down to 44-40 with 13 minutes left in the game. Led by Brownridge’s 10 points during the run, the Broncos’ feisty defense frustrated the Commodores to just 1-of-10 shooting during that stretch.
Santa Clara got as close as 46-44 with 10:21 left, but the Commodores regained their touch and used a 13-3 run to distance themselves.
