Zeigler tallies 22 points to lead No. 5 Tennessee past Vanderbilt 81-76

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    Zakai Zeigler delivered an outstanding performance in the second half, scoring 22 points as the fifth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers made an impressive comeback from a 16-point deficit to secure an 81-76 victory over Vanderbilt on Saturday.

    In addition to Zeigler’s efforts, Chaz Lanier contributed 21 points for Tennessee, which improved its record to 21 wins and 5 losses overall, with an 8-5 standing in the Southeastern Conference.

    On the other hand, Jason Edwards top-scored for the Commodores, totaling 24 points, while Jaylen Carey added 18 points off the bench before fouling out with just over four minutes remaining in the game.

    Vanderbilt established dominance early, leading 44-31 at halftime. They exhibited considerable strength in the interior, outperforming Tennessee in points scored in the paint, finishing the first half with a 20-12 advantage.

    One notable development for Vanderbilt is Jaylen Carey’s emergence as a pivotal contributor off the bench. He has consistently scored in double digits in five of his last eight outings and has shown his value as a reliable rebounder, playing a key role in launching the Commodores’ offense against Tennessee.

    For Tennessee, the challenge of maintaining offensive consistency has become a theme since last season. Despite possessing one of the nation’s elite defenses, they often struggle to find a rhythm offensively, leading to unexpected losses during the season.

    A crucial turning point in the game occurred when Tennessee, after falling behind by as much as 16 points, leveled the score with a pivotal 3-pointer from Zeigler with 9:41 left on the clock.

    Statistically, Tennessee rebounded well in the second half, turning the tables after being outpaced 21-10 on the boards in the first half, and instead controlling them 20-12 in the latter half of the game.

    Looking ahead, Vanderbilt will be heading to Kentucky for their next matchup on Wednesday, while Tennessee will have a brief respite before facing Texas A&M next Saturday.