NASHVILLE — To understand just how much Vanderbilt toyed with Kentucky basketball on Tuesday, just glance at one second-half possession for the Commodores. Sophomore guard Tyler Tanner, who already had the game in the palm of his hand to that point — and may be on his way to All-America status by the end of this season — decided to embarrass UK big man Andrija Jelavić.
With Jelavić guarding Tanner on the perimeter, the star sophomore crossed him up. Tanner then took a few dribbles inside the 3-point line that had Jelavić on his heels.
Then, Tanner unleashed a vicious stepback 3.
Nothing but net.
Victory already was well in for Vandy at that juncture; Tanner's triple merely pushed the lead to 20 points, 51-31, with 15 minutes to go.
It didn't get much better for the Wildcats after that. Not that they had much going for them prior to Tanner making a mockery of Jelavić's defense.
In the end, Kentucky's five-game win streak met a decisive end Tuesday at Memorial Gymnasium, as Vanderbilt barely broke a sweat in an 80-55 home triumph.
Like clockwork, the Wildcats (14-7, 5-3 SEC) dug themselves a double-digit deficit early. And as so often happens, they faced an alarming score at intermission — the Commodores (18-3, 5-3) led by 20, 43-23.
Unlike games earlier this season, in which UK engineered rallies to grab a victory from the jaws of the defeat, there would be no comeback on this ice-cold night in the Music City.
This wasn't Indiana or St. John's. Or Mississippi State, Tennessee or LSU.
Given how lopsided the outcome was, the Wildcats sure wish it had been a member of that quintet instead of these Commodores who showed them no quarter.
This story will be updated.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky-Vanderbilt score today, Vandy vs UK basketball game stats
