Nation & World
Nation & World

Vanderbilt fans storm court again as Commodores beat No. 9 Kentucky 74-69

Tyler Nickel’s 3-pointer with 1:50 left put Vanderbilt ahead to stay as the Commodores upset a Top 10 team on their home court for a second straight Saturday by beating No. 9 Kentucky 74-69
Vanderbilt guard MJ Collins Jr. (2) shoots the ball past Kentucky forward Trent Noah (9) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

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Vanderbilt guard MJ Collins Jr. (2) shoots the ball past Kentucky forward Trent Noah (9) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
By TERESA M. WALKER – Associated Press
Jan 25, 2025

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tyler Nickel's 3-pointer with 1:50 left put Vanderbilt ahead to stay as the Commodores upset a Top 10 team on their home court for a second straight Saturday by beating No. 9 Kentucky 74-69.

Vanderbilt fans stormed the court again after the win, a repeat from a week ago when the Commodores (16-4, 4-3 Southeastern Conference) knocked off then-No. 6 Tennessee. The first court-storming led to a $250,000 fine from the league.

Jason Edwards led Vanderbilt with 18 points, Devin McGlockton added 14, Nickel finished with 11 and Jaylen Carey 10.

Kentucky (14-5, 3-3) lost consecutive games for the first time this season.

Otega Oweh led the Wildcats with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Ansley Almonor had 12, Jaxson Robinson added 11.

Vanderbilt secured its first win over Kentucky at Memorial Gym since 2016.

Takeaways

Kentucky: Turnovers were the Wildcats' undoing. They had 17 compared to just five by Vandy, and point guard Lamont Butler had six of those before fouling out.

Vanderbilt: First-year coach Mark Byington has helped bring the magic back to Memorial. This was the second straight sellout at the SEC's oldest basketball arena and the Commodores' first since the 2011-12 season.

Key moment

After leading 41-27 at halftime, Kentucky outscored the Commodores 31-10 and took its biggest lead at 58-51 lead. Vanderbilt responded with a 15-5 spurt for a 66-63 lead on a steal by McGlockton and fast-break layup by Tyler Tanner with 4:05 left.

Key stat

Vanderbilt scored the final six points of the game. Kentucky didn't score after Oweh's layup with 2:56 left.

Up next

Kentucky continues its two-game road trip Tuesday night at Tennessee.

Vanderbilt is off until starting a two-game road swing Feb. 1 at Oklahoma. ___

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Vanderbilt forward Jaylen Carey (22) celebrates a slam dunk during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Kentucky, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

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Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington yells to his players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Kentucky, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

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Kentucky guard Otega Oweh (00) and Vanderbilt guard AJ Hoggard, right, chase a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

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Kentucky center Amari Williams, left, and Vanderbilt forward Devin McGlockton (99) collide under the basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

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Kentucky center Amari Williams (22) dunks the ball over Vanderbilt forward Devin McGlockton, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

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Kentucky head coach Mark Pope yells to his players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

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Vanderbilt guard Chris Manon (30) shoots the ball over Kentucky forward Ansley Almonor (15) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

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Vanderbilt guard Jason Edwards, left, drives to the basket against Kentucky center Amari Williams (22) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

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Vanderbilt guard Chris Manon (30) shoots the ball over Kentucky forward Ansley Almonor (15) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

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