In a thrilling overtime battle, the 13th-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores preserved their perfect season with a 77-70 road victory over the Memphis Tigers on Wednesday night, avoiding an upset thanks to key plays from Jalen Washington and Duke Miles. The win extends Vanderbilt’s record to 11-0, while Memphis falls to 4-6 despite a resilient comeback effort.
Vanderbilt entered the game as one of the nation’s top offensive teams, averaging 95.4 points per game, but struggled significantly with poor shooting and turnovers. The Commodores shot just 32.3% from the field and committed 20 miscues, forcing them to rely on defense and free-throw accuracy to stay competitive throughout the contest.
Memphis, which had won the previous four meetings in the series, mounted a dramatic second-half rally after trailing by 11 points early. A 15-3 run, fueled by aggressive pressure defense, gave the Tigers their first lead at 42-40 with 12:19 remaining, showcasing their ability to disrupt Vanderbilt’s rhythm and capitalize on opportunities.
The game remained tight in the closing minutes of regulation, with Vanderbilt holding a slim 62-59 advantage after two free throws by Tyler Tanner. However, Memphis forced overtime when Hasan Abdul Hakim scored a twisting layup in the final moments, capping a gritty effort that highlighted the Tigers’ determination to pull off an upset.
In overtime, Memphis briefly led 64-62 after a putback by Hakim, but Vanderbilt responded with a decisive 12-2 surge, largely from the free-throw line. Duke Miles, who finished with a game-high 22 points, scored seven in the extra period and was perfect from the stripe, while Jalen Washington added 14 points and hit crucial free throws to seal the victory.
Washington’s tough bucket in overtime exemplified Vanderbilt’s resilience, as he and Miles combined for 15 of the team’s points in the extra period. Tyler Tanner provided steady support with 16 points and seven rebounds, helping offset the Commodores’ overall shooting struggles and contributing to their ability to close out the game under pressure.
For Memphis, Sincere Parker led the way with a season-high 18 points, and Dug McDaniel matched that total, with both players driving the Tigers’ comeback. Hasan Abdul Hakim posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, but despite their efforts, Memphis couldn’t sustain the momentum in overtime, falling short in a hard-fought contest.
The victory solidifies Vanderbilt’s position in the national rankings and sets the stage for upcoming conference challenges, while Memphis, despite the loss, demonstrated potential with its tenacious play, suggesting they could remain competitive as the season progresses. Both teams will look to build on this game, with Vanderbilt aiming to maintain its unbeaten streak and Memphis seeking to bounce back in future matchups.
