Vanderbilt Closes Nonconference Slate with Statement Win, Moves to 13-0
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Vanderbilt didn’t just wrap up its nonconference schedule on Monday night - it slammed the door shut. The No. 11 Commodores rolled to a dominant 96-53 win over New Haven at Memorial Gymnasium, putting an emphatic exclamation point on a perfect 13-0 start to the season.
Even without starting guard Duke Miles, sidelined due to illness, the Commodores didn’t miss a beat. Senior forward Jalen Washington led the charge with a career-high 21 points - and he did it with authority. Washington threw down seven dunks and added two layups, finishing 9-of-11 from the field and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line in a performance that was as efficient as it was explosive.
Tyler Tanner continued to show why he’s one of the most dynamic guards in the SEC. He poured in a game-high 23 points and filled the stat sheet with seven assists, five rebounds and three steals. Tanner's ability to control the tempo and create for others made life easy for the Commodores all night long.
Devin McGlockton added another layer of dominance with the team’s first double-double of the season - 15 points and 10 rebounds - while tying his career high with five assists. His physicality in the paint and willingness to pass out of double teams kept New Haven scrambling on defense.
Tyler Harris also made his presence felt, continuing his upward trend with 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting. He added eight rebounds, three steals and three blocks - a true two-way effort that helped Vanderbilt control both ends of the floor.
From the opening tip, it was all Vandy. The Commodores jumped out to a 16-2 lead in the first four minutes and never looked back.
By halftime, they held a commanding 47-27 advantage, and the margin only widened from there. The defense was locked in, forcing 13 turnovers - 10 of them steals - and turning those mistakes into 25 points on the other end.
The nine blocked shots marked a season high for Vanderbilt, showcasing just how active and engaged this group is defensively. Every possession felt like a battle for New Haven, and the Commodores made sure it stayed that way.
With the win, Vanderbilt improves to 13-0 - just the second time in program history the team has started a season with that record. It’s also only the sixth time the Commodores have gone undefeated through nonconference play, a feat that speaks to both their consistency and depth.
Now, the real test begins. SEC play is on deck, and Vanderbilt will hit the road to face South Carolina on Saturday.
Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
If the Commodores can carry this momentum into conference play, they won’t just be a team to watch - they’ll be a team to beat.