NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Kedren Johnson scored a game-high 18 points to lead the Vanderbilt men’s basketball team to a 69-48 win over Delta State in the Commodores final exhibition game at Memorial Gym Monday night.
Johnson scored his 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the field, while adding four rebounds. Rod Odom scored 17 points on an efficient 5-of-7 from the floor, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Kyle Fuller chipped in 10 points and three assists.
Had it not been an exhibition contest, Johnson, Odom and Fuller would have all recorded career-highs.
Redshirt sophomore Josh Henderson saw his first action of the season, as he came in off the bench and logged eight points and five rebounds in 16 minutes of action.
As a team, Vanderbilt shot 45.8 percent from the field, while Delta State shot 41.7 percent. The Commodores outrebounded the Statesmen 32-26. Vanderbilt forced 15 turnovers, while only turning the ball over seven times for the game.
Terry Leake led Delta State with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Jack Madgen chipped in 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting.
At the half, the Commodores led by 13, 33-20. Odom and Johnson were the only scorers to reach double-figures in the first half as they scored 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Odom shot 4-of-5 from the field, including 2-of-3 from downtown. The Central Islip, N.Y., native also recorded two blocks. Sheldon Jeter and James Siakam tied for the team-lead in rebounds with four apiece.
As a team, Vanderbilt shot 42 percent from the field, while holding the Statesmen to just 32 percent. Vanderbilt outrebounded Delta State 20-16 in the first half, while only committing two turnovers.
Both teams started out of the gate cold, but the Commodores were able to use a 9-0 run midway through the first half to take the lead.
Vanderbilt begins regular season action on Saturday, Nov. 10, when the Commodores host Nicholls State at 3 p.m. in Memorial Gym. The game will follow the regular season-opener for the Vanderbilt women’s basketball team, which starts at noon.
