Tennessee secured a 69-65 win over No. 19 Vanderbilt on Saturday at Memorial Gymnasium, closing the game with a decisive 5-0 run. Nate Ament scored the go-ahead basket with just under a minute left, helping Tennessee improve to 20-7 overall and 10-4 in SEC play.
Vanderbilt, now 21-6 overall and 8-6 in the conference, was led by Tyler Tanner’s 16 points. Tanner played despite illness for the second consecutive game. Duke Miles returned to action and contributed 12 points, while Devin McGlockton added 11. Jalen Washington recorded eight points along with ten rebounds and six blocks.
Ja’Kobi Gillespie led Tennessee with 17 points. Ament was the only other Volunteer to reach double figures, finishing with 13.
The matchup saw frequent momentum shifts, featuring 20 lead changes and seven ties. In the final stretch of nearly twelve minutes, neither team led by more than four points. Vanderbilt missed its last four field goal attempts as Tennessee held on for the win.
Tennessee outperformed Vanderbilt in rebounding, holding a 39-30 advantage on the boards and doubling up on second-chance points at 12-6. The Volunteers also dominated inside scoring, outscoring Vanderbilt in the paint by an 18-point margin.
Vanderbilt will next host Georgia for Senior Night on Wednesday at Memorial Gymnasium. The game is scheduled to tip off at 6 p.m. on SEC Network.
