Balanced attack leads Vanderbilt past Alabama A&M
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tyrin Lawrence posted a game-high 19 points, leading a balanced attack that featured five individuals scoring in double figures as Vanderbilt earned a 78-59 men's basketball win over Alabama A&M at Memorial Gymnasium on Saturday.
Ven-Allen Lubin recorded his first double-double for the Commodores (4-4) with 14 points and 10 rebounds, Ezra Manjon added 12, and Evan Taylor and Jason Rivera-Torres contributed 10 points each. Rivera-Torres and Carter Lang both pulled down eight rebounds, while Manjon was credited with a season-high-tying seven assists.
The Dores had 16 assists on their 23 field goals, and also made 24 of 34 attempts at the free-throw line.
Omari Peek led the Bulldogs (1-6) with 13 points and five rebounds, with EJ Williams adding 12 points and Dailin Smith 11. William Tavares paced Alabama A&M with six rebounds.
The game was tied with eight and a half minutes to go in the first half, at which point Vandy put together a 14-2 run. Half those points came via free throws, including four from Taylor in a 42-second span. The Bulldogs managed to cut the deficit to four in the opening minutes after the break, but a Tasos Kamateros 4-point play doubled the Commodores lead while sparking a string of 10 unanswered points as Vanderbilt pulled away.
The Dores next face San Francisco at Memorial Gymnasium, closing a three-game homestand against the Dons on Wednesday at 7 p.m.