NASHVILLE, Tenn. – RJ Melendez led the charge with 19 points as No. 14 Mississippi State overcame Vanderbilt with a score of 76-64 on Tuesday evening, marking their eighth consecutive victory.
The Bulldogs improved to 14-1 and 2-0 in Southeastern Conference play, achieving their highest ranking under head coach Chris Jans. This win also gave them the edge in the teams’ recent history, having triumphed in six of the last eight encounters between the two programs.
Cameron Matthews contributed significantly with 16 points, while Claudell Harris Jr. added 13 for Mississippi State.
On the other hand, Vanderbilt, with a record of 13-2 and 1-1 in the conference, aimed to start the season with a 2-0 record in league play for the first time since the 2016-17 season. However, the Bulldogs put an end to the Commodores’ seven-game winning streak under first-year coach Mark Byington.
AJ Hoggard showcased his determination by scoring 11 of his 16 points in the second half as he attempted to help rally Vanderbilt. Grant Huffman provided additional support with 14 points while Tyler Nickel added 10.
In terms of performance, Mississippi State demonstrated their ability to penetrate the paint, achieving a 42-30 scoring advantage in that area. The Bulldogs also started strong at the free-throw line, making their first 12 attempts and finishing 16 of 19 overall.
Conversely, Vanderbilt faced shooting challenges for much of the game, struggling to find their rhythm. They went cold towards the end of the first half, missing 11 of their last 12 shots, and began the second half by connecting on just one of their first 11 attempts. This shooting slump allowed Mississippi State to extend their lead to 39-28 at halftime and stretch it to 56-34 within the first six minutes after the break.
A critical moment in the game occurred when Hoggard’s layup brought Vanderbilt within five points at 65-60 with just over four minutes remaining. However, the Commodores fell into another scoring drought. Shortly after, Harris hit a crucial three-pointer, and Matthews secured the victory with a dunk two minutes later.
A noteworthy statistic was the performance of Jason Edwards, Vanderbilt’s leading scorer with an average of 18.3 points per game, who went scoreless in 11 minutes and missed all eight of his attempts, including five shots taken inside the arc.
Looking ahead, Mississippi State will host No. 6 Kentucky on Saturday night, while Vanderbilt will travel to Missouri before returning for a pair of home games.
