By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images / Randy Sartin-Imagn Images
Tennessee Volunteers overcomes a 16-point deficit to defeat their rival Vanderbilt Commodores, 81-76.
In the first half, the Volunteers struggled. The Commodores were giving them problems by attacking the basketball, getting second-chance points, and knocking down some threes. The Volunteers’ energy was inferior.
Commodores would lead 44-31 by halftime. Jason Edwards led the Commodores with 24 points in this game.
Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes can be fiery when he needs to be. We don’t know what he said in that locker room during halftime. Whatever it was, it added some fuel and motivation for the team to make the comeback.
Volunteers guard Zakai Ziegler scored 22 points in the second half to lead the Volunteers. He made 3 of his four three-pointers, including eight assists.
“We just came out with a different type of energy,” Zeigler said. “We knew in the first half we didn’t execute some things. We didn’t play with the same type of fire that we were supposed to come out with, but in the second half, I feel like we came out with a different attitude.”
Zeigler has a “prove em wrong” mindset, which makes him wise and special on this team. He loves challenges and accepts anything that comes his way.
Chaz Lanier added 21 points for the team. His rebounding ability was sensational and has improved in the last few weeks. He had eight rebounds in this game.
“Today was a good, much-needed win for the team,” Lanier said. “I just try to do my job night in and night out. Use my big body; I’m usually bigger than some of the other guards, so I use my frame to go in there and get some rebounds because I know that’s what the team needs.”
Over the final seven minutes, the Volunteers went 7-of-7 from the field and 7-of-10 at the line. They played good defense down the stretch.
The Volunteers have won eight straight home games against the Commodores. The Commodores haven’t swept a season series against the Volunteers since 2007.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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