Dec. 16, 2014
Recap | Box Score | Quotes | USATSI Gallery 
Vanderbilt 99 Western Carolina 79
Nashville, Tenn.
Memorial Gym
Game Notes
-Vanderbilt improved to 7-2 on the season with the 99-79 win over Western Carolina. The Commodores are now 3-0 all-time against the Catamounts.
-The win was Kevin Stallings’ 299th career victory at Vanderbilt.
First Half
-The Catamounts shot a blistering 62.1% from the field in the first half, and led the Commodores, 44-41, at the break, only the second time this year Vanderbilt has trailed at the half (other time vs. Baylor).
-The 44 points scored by Western Carolina in the half is a new opponent high this season. The previous best by an opponent this season was 34 (Baylor).
-Vanderbilt was 16-21 from the free throw line in the first half, a 76.2% clip.
-Riley LaChance led all VU scorers with nine points.
Team Notes
-The Commodores’ 99 points in the contest was the most by a Vanderbilt team since February 16, 2012, when VU scored 102 at Ole Miss. It was also the most points scored at home since a 99-71 win over Longwood on December 19, 2011.
-Vanderbilt had two players score 20 or more points in a game (Riley LaChance and James Siakam) for the first time since Rod Odom (22) and Kyle Fuller (20) did it versus Arkansas on Feb. 8, 2014.
-Vanderbilt shot 55.3% from the floor and 69.6% in the second half.
-The Commodores converted on 38 of 43 attempts at the free throw line for an 88.4% clip, its best percentage of the season. It was the first time Vanderbilt made 30 or more free throws since making 30 at Ole Miss on February 16, 2012.
-Western Carolina made 52.6% of its shots from the floor, the best by an opponent all season.
-After trailing at the half, Vanderbilt outscored the Catamounts, 58-35, in the second half.
-At the 8:01 mark of the second half, Vanderbilt converted on a seven-point possession (two made free throws from Siakam, two free throws from LaChance on a technical foul, and a made three-pointer by Matthew Fisher-Davis).
Player Notes
-Riley LaChance tied a career high with 26 points against the Catamounts, his second consecutive game with 26 points. LaChance is the first Commodore to score 25 or more points in consecutive games since John Jenkins scored 26 at Ole Miss (2/16/12) and 28 at Georgia (2/19/12).
-LaChance was 8-12 from the floor for the game and 5-8 from three. In his last two games, LaChance is 17-25 (68.0%) from the field and 8-12 from three (66.7%).
-Siakam scored a season-high 20 points on only six shot attempts. He was 4-6 from the floor and 12-13 from the free-throw line. He also added seven rebounds.
-Damian Jones scored 16 points on the night, his eighth game this season in double figures.
-Fisher-Davis scored nine points and made three threes for the second consecutive game.
-Wade Baldwin IV tallied eight points, all on made free throws. He was 8-8 from the free throw line on the night.
