The Vanderbilt Commodores beat the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks of the Mid-America Conference 69-62 at Memorial Gymnasium in a game that boiled down to a 3-point shoot-out between Vanderbilt’s John Jenkins and Miami’s Brian Sullivan. Jenkins hit 5 of 10 three pointers, finishing with 26 points, while Sullivan, a freshman, came off the bench to hit 8 of 10 from deep to finish with 24 points.

The Commodores led 27-24 at the half and got up by as many as 11 points at 9:29 of the 2^nd half, but they never could really stretch out a big lead as Sullivan kept hitting 3’s.

The Commodores were finally able to get enough of a cushion late with Brad Tinsley hitting 6 of 6 free throws down the stretch.

Jeffery Taylor and Tinsley each had 11 points for the Commodores, and Festus Ezeli had 4 blocks and 7 rebounds.

Ezeli’s third block of the game established him as Vanderbilt’s all-time shot blocker surpassing Will Purdue.

The Redhawks out-rebounded the Commodores 31-27 led by Julian Mavunga with 11.

Vanderbilt Head Coach Kevin Stallings Quotes

Opening Comments:

“We did the things we wanted to do except for defend in the second half and take away [Brian] Sullivan’s threes. But, we didn’t think they could beat us if we took [Julian] Mavunga [away]. We did a good job on him and held him to five or six points below his average.”

On Miami’s Brian Sullivan:

“Sullivan’s game should be attributed to me and the scouting report. We were really out to [stop] Mavunga”

“He made the first two or three or four [threes] and at one point had 12 of their first 18 points. You let him get started and sometimes it’s hard to take him off of it.”

On Miami’s Schedule:

“If you look at [Miami’s] schedule, they lost by six at Xavier and by seven or nine at Cincinnati. Ohio State got away from them at the end, but it was a six- or seven-point game six or seven minutes into the second half. I expected it would be a closer game. Their tempo slows you down.”

On the Upcoming SEC Schedule:

“We have a pattern in games where our first half defense is good and our second half defense is not as good… We have to do a better job of defending in the second half of games.”

On How Vanderbilt Defended Julian Mavunga:

“Lance [Goulbourne] was the best guy we had to put on him. I thought [Goulbourne] did a good job of being in position. I’m pleased with him and the job he did. I would have bet on victory if you told me we’d hold him to 14 points.”

On the Win Following the Strong Showing at Marquette:

“I’m happy we won… I thought we played better defensively, particularly in the second half. We have a long ways to go. We did some good things tonight. I didn’t think this would be an easy game… I was pleased we were able to come in after a good victory at Marquette and do what we had to do to get another victory.”

The Commodores will begin SEC play on Saturday when they will host the Auburn Tigers at 12:30.