Feb 27, 2002
By TERESA M. WALKER
AP Sports Writer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings finally got the Kentucky Wildcats off his back.
Reserve Brendan Plavich scored all but two of his 20 points on 3-pointers and the Commodores beat No. 11 Kentucky 86-73 Wednesday night to snap an 18-game losing streak to the Wildcats.
“I won’t have to hear about having the longest SEC losing streak to Kentucky,” said Stallings, who had lost his first five games to the Wildcats since coming to Vanderbilt. “We’re happy to end that.”
Kentucky (19-8, 9-6 Southeastern Conference) is the only visiting team with a winning record in Memorial Gym. Vanderbilt (16-12, 6-9) had not beaten Kentucky since 1993, a stretch of eight straight home losses.
The Wildcats came in ready to clinch their 12th consecutive 20-win season and keep alive their chances for at least a share of the SEC’s Eastern Division title.
But the Commodores, a team that had struggled to score in recent games, suddenly couldn’t miss as they scored more points than in any of their past eight games. They shot 53 percent (30-of-56) from the field, including 11-of-22 from 3-point range, while the Wildcats shot 35 percent (22-of-62).
Stallings said his team played their best game of the season.
“I told them we didn’t have to leap tall buildings to win this game. Kentucky is a very good team, but we didn’t have to play out of our minds to win,” he said.
Kentucky coach Tubby Smith said his Wildcats played good defense with one big exception.
“We couldn’t get up on guys and contest shots like we should. I’m very disappointed in that. Giving up 53 percent shooting you’re not going to win very many games giving up 86 points,” Smith said.
Matt Freije and Chuck Moore each had 19 points for Vanderbilt, while freshman Brian Thornton added 17.
Moore gave thanks to a sellout crowd of 14,168 that stayed loud from the opening tip to the final buzzer.
“When you get those guys going, it is a sixth man on the court. The crowd definitely helped today,” he said.
Tayshaun Prince led Kentucky with 24 points, while Rashaad Carruth added 22.
Smith kept Gerald Fitch and Erik Daniels on the bench despite reinstating them to the team Tuesday following a one-game suspension for allegedly using fake driver’s licenses to get into a nightclub. Smith also left Adam Chiles at home.
The lack of depth worsened when junior forward Marquis Estill scratched his right eye near the basket during the first half, and never returned. He left wearing a patch over the eye, and Smith said he needed to talk with team doctors for an update on Estill’s condition.
Keith Bogans, who had been averaging 11 points a game, had just two for Kentucky. Smith said he has stuck with the junior guard to try and boost his confidence. Now Kentucky has lost two of its last four games.
“We’re struggling right now,” Smith said.
The Wildcats last led at 11-9 on a basket by Cliff Hawkins with 14:55 to go in the first half. Freije grabbed a rebound and scored to tie the game at 11, and Corey Smith hit a 3-pointer that gave Vandy a lead it would never lose.
Vanderbilt outscored Kentucky 20-8 at one stretch in the first half, including a 9-0 spurt capped by a 3-pointer by Plavich.
Kentucky looked ready to make a run to take the lead near the end of the half, getting within 41-36 on a layup by Carruth with 2:44 to go. But Moore scored the final five points of the half for a 46-36 lead.
Vandy built the lead to as much as 53-38 in the opening minutes of the second half when the Wildcats tried to wake themselves up by going to a full-court press. The change couldn’t jump start Kentucky’s shooting.
J.P. Blevins stole the ball and scored on a layup at 7:37 to pull the Wildcats within 63-58, but that was as close as they would get.
Vanderbilt outscored Kentucky 23-15 the rest of the way to seal its biggest victory in years.
