CHARLESTON, S.C. — AJ Hoggard shined with an impressive performance, scoring 18 points and dishing out seven assists, while Jason Edwards contributed 16 points in a close contest where Vanderbilt managed to prevail over Nevada, finishing the game 73-71 on Thursday night. This matchup marked the commencement of the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic.

Vanderbilt, now boasting a perfect record of 5-0, is set to face off against Seton Hall, who edged past VCU with a score of 69-66 in overtime. Meanwhile, Nevada, which has a record of 4-1, will prepare to take on the Rams.

In addition to Hoggard and Edwards, MJ Collins Jr. played a significant role with 15 points, while both Devin McGlockton and Jaylen Carey recorded nine points along with eight rebounds each for Vanderbilt. On the Nevada side, Kobe Sanders and Tyler Rolison were instrumental, each scoring 13 points, while Brandon Love chipped in with 11 points. Nick Davidson also had a notable contribution, posting nine points and grabbing nine rebounds for the Wolf Pack, who showcased a strong shooting performance at 54%, compared to Vanderbilt’s 47%.

Vanderbilt initially held a 12-point advantage midway through the second half, but Nevada fought back, narrowing the margin to just a point at 67-66 with two minutes left in the game. After McGlockton missed a crucial free throw in the waning moments, the score sat at 72-71. Nevada attempted a last-ditch shot from beyond the arc, but it was too late and went astray, sealing the victory for Vanderbilt.

The second half saw a turning point when Nevada orchestrated an 8-0 run to briefly seize the lead. However, Vanderbilt quickly responded with a powerful 12-0 run that gave them the game’s first double-digit lead at 53-43 with just 13 minutes remaining.

At the end of the first half, the scoreboard showed a slim advantage for Vanderbilt at 37-35, setting the stage for an exciting second half.