Vols withstand Vanderbilt, 76-63

George Drake totaled a career-high 16 points in VU's loss at Memorial Tuesday.

Jan. 20, 2009

COMPLETE POSTGAME COVERAGE
Box Score | Season Stats | Quotes | Notes
Video: Stallings' Press Conference | Audio
Video: Press with Drake and Tinsley | Audio
Audio: Fisher's Interview with Coach Stallings
Audio: Thompson's Interview with Drake
Audio: 104.5 Play of Game - Drake Scores Twice
View John Russell's Photo Gallery | AP Photos

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Wayne Chism scored 16 of his 20 points in the first half, and Tennessee beat Vanderbilt 76-63 on Tuesday night.

"I thought Chism really got them going," Kevin Stallings, VU head coach, said. "He played well, not just with those (early) threes. He also played well thereafter."

Tyler Smith scored 18 points, J.P. Prince had 16 and Scotty Hopson added 11 as Tennessee won its second straight and third in four games.

Vanderbilt (12-6, 1-3) lost its second straight and for the third time in four games. The Commodores came in tied for the nation's stingiest field goal percentage defense, but struggled to find the basket themselves. They went about eight minutes between field goals in the first half and missed 22 of 27 shots.

"It just seemed like there was a lid on that basket in the first half," noted Stallings. "We dug ourselves a hole and every time we needed to make something happen in the second half, we seemed like we'd miss a shot or a free throw."

George Drake came off the bench and led VU with 16 points. Brad Tinsley added 10. Vanderbilt's three leading scorers -- A.J. Ogilvy, Jermaine Beal and Jeffery Taylor -- were a combined 3 of 20.

This was Tennessee's first game since falling out of the Top 25 rankings on Monday.