KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tyler Tanner scored a game-high 25 points and No. 24 Vanderbilt closed the regular season with an 86-82 victory over No. 23 Tennessee at Food City Center on Saturday afternoon.
Tanner added three assists and a pair of steals in leading Vanderbilt (24-7, 11-7 SEC) to the victory. He became just the third high-major player in the past 30 seasons to finish conference play averaging better than 21 points, 5.5 assists and 2.0 steals, joining Jason Terry and Jay Williams.
AK Okereke added 17 points, four boards and three assists while Duke Miles put up 13 points with four steals and four boards. Freshman Chandler Bing provided clutch moments including a thunderous dunk and critical corner three while scoring nine in the win. Jalen Washington grabbed a team-leading eight boards while adding seven points.
Tennessee (21-10, 11-7 SEC) was led by 24 points from Amari Evans and 20 from J.P. Estrella. Ja’Kobi Gillespie added 17 to give the Vols three in double figures.
The Commodores forced 11 turnovers, including nine in the first half, as they built a 32-22 lead at the break. After the defensive battle in the opening 20, it was all about the offensive side of the ball in the second half. Tanner scored 19 of his 25 in the second frame, going 5-of-5 from the field with a pair of threes. Okereke put up 12 of his 17 in the second half as well.
Vandy shot 52.9 percent from the floor and 5-of-10 from downtown. The Vols went 44.3 percent from the field and just 25 percent from three.
The Commodores will now turn their attention to the SEC Tournament in Bridgestone Arena. Vandy will learn its seed following the conclusion of SEC action this evening.
