NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A crucial 3-pointer from Chris Manon with just under five minutes remaining allowed Vanderbilt to seize the lead for good, culminating in a 77-72 victory over No. 24 Ole Miss on Saturday, ending a three-game losing streak for the Commodores.
Vanderbilt (18-9, 6-8 Southeastern Conference) showcased strong performance, initially gaining a substantial lead of up to 19 points and heading into halftime with a 41-33 advantage. However, Ole Miss threatened to reverse the momentum, putting Vanderbilt in a precarious position of potentially squandering another double-digit lead.
Manon emerged as a standout for the Commodores, finishing the game with a season-high of 16 points. He was supported by Jason Edwards with 15 points, Tyler Nickel contributing 13, and Devin McGlockton adding 10 points.
In his inaugural season, coach Mark Byington has remarkably positioned Vanderbilt as a contender for an NCAA Tournament spot after expectations had them at the bottom of the SEC standings. The Commodores have achieved three victories against ranked teams and were sitting at 10th in the conference as of Saturday’s game.
On the other hand, Ole Miss (19-8, 8-6) faced their second consecutive defeat.
Malik Dia, a former Vanderbilt player, led Ole Miss with a career-high of 22 points, while Sean Pedulla contributed 21 points. Despite showing flashes of brilliance—including a 16-5 scoring run to close the first half and an 18-5 scoring spurt to begin the second half—the Rebels struggled to maintain offensive consistency. The last lead for Ole Miss came at 64-62, thanks to a quick five-point surge from Dia, capped off with a three-pointer. However, the team faltered afterward, missing nine of their next ten attempts.
For Vanderbilt, the victory elevated their home record at Memorial Gym to an impressive 13-2, as they have not succumbed to back-to-back losses at home this season.
The turning point in the game occurred when Vanderbilt executed an 11-2 run, initiated by a pair of free throws from Edwards. Manon then made a crucial steal from Pedulla, promptly followed by his go-ahead 3-pointer. An emphatic dunk from Manon prompted an Ole Miss timeout, which was succeeded by a layup from Tyler Tanner, further solidifying Vanderbilt’s control over the game.
Down the stretch, Vanderbilt exemplified composure by sealing their victory with eight consecutive successful free throws.
Looking ahead, Ole Miss is set to continue with a two-game road trip, facing No. 1 Auburn on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt is gearing up for a challenging encounter against No. 7 Texas A&M, as they navigate their fifth straight matchup against a ranked opponent.
