Vanderbilt Men's Basketball Earns Statement Win Over California

Commodores Rally Back for 88-83 Triumph

Guards Myreon Jones and Colin Smith Lead Vanderbilt's Comeback

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Vanderbilt Commodores men's basketball team (10-4) notched a significant victory on Saturday, defeating the California Golden Bears (10-4) 88-83 in a thrilling non-conference matchup at Memorial Gymnasium.

Vanderbilt Overcomes Slow Start

Vanderbilt struggled to find their rhythm early on, falling behind 17-9 to California. However, the Commodores responded with a 12-2 run to tie the game at 21. The teams traded baskets for the remainder of the half, with Vanderbilt holding a slim 41-39 advantage at the break.

Commodores Rally in Second Half

The second half featured more intense play, with both teams exchanging the lead multiple times. California extended their lead to 76-69 with just over seven minutes remaining. But Vanderbilt's guards, Myreon Jones and Colin Smith, sparked a 19-7 run to secure the victory for the Commodores.

Jones finished with a team-high 22 points, while Smith added 17 points and six assists. Liam Robbins contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds for Vanderbilt. California was led by Grant Anticevich's 19 points and nine rebounds.

Statement Win for Vanderbilt

This victory marks a significant statement win for Vanderbilt, who are now 5-1 at home this season. It also comes on the heels of a disappointing loss to Wofford last week. The Commodores will look to continue their momentum when they host Mississippi State on Tuesday.

Commodore Coaching Staff

Vanderbilt is led by Jerry Stackhouse, who is in his fifth season as head coach. Stackhouse has a 59-75 record at Vanderbilt and has guided the Commodores to one NCAA Tournament appearance during his tenure.

Stackhouse's staff includes assistant coaches Adam Cohen, Michael Curry, and Jake Diebler. Cohen has been with Vanderbilt since 2019, while Curry and Diebler joined the staff in 2021.

Conclusion

Vanderbilt's victory over California is a major step forward for the program. The Commodores are now 10-4 on the season and have a solid foundation to build upon in the SEC season.