Vanderbilt loses to Georgia men’s basketball 79-68 on senior day.
Nashville, TN – Vanderbilt’s men’s basketball team closed out their home schedule with a disappointing 79-68 loss to Georgia on Senior Day at Memorial Gymnasium. Despite a strong effort, the Commodores struggled to contain the Bulldogs’ offensive firepower, ultimately falling short in their bid for a much-needed victory.
First Half: A Competitive Start
The game started with high energy from both sides, as Vanderbilt looked to send their seniors off on a high note. The Commodores came out aggressive, with Tyrin Lawrence and Ezra Manjon setting the pace early. However, Georgia responded with strong perimeter shooting, led by Noah Thomasson and Jabri Abdur-Rahim.
Vanderbilt found success attacking the basket and drawing fouls, keeping the game within reach. Freshman forward Ven-Allen Lubin provided a spark off the bench, contributing key rebounds and inside scoring. But Georgia’s ability to knock down three-pointers proved to be the difference in the first half, allowing them to establish a slight advantage heading into halftime.
At the break, Georgia led 38-33, with Thomasson leading all scorers with 12 points. Vanderbilt struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 25% from three-point range, while Georgia capitalized on their opportunities, converting at a 40% clip.
Second Half: Georgia Pulls Away
Coming out of halftime, Vanderbilt needed a strong start to shift the momentum, but Georgia had other plans. The Bulldogs opened the second half on an 8-2 run, stretching their lead to double digits. Thomasson continued his stellar play, hitting back-to-back threes that forced Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse to call a timeout.
Vanderbilt attempted to mount a comeback behind Manjon’s quick drives and Lawrence’s mid-range game, but Georgia’s defense held firm. The Bulldogs maintained their composure, executing well in transition and making key defensive stops.
With under eight minutes remaining, Vanderbilt managed to cut the lead to six points after a pair of free throws by Colin Smith, but Georgia quickly answered with a three-pointer from Justin Hill. That sequence proved to be a turning point, as the Bulldogs never let the Commodores get any closer.
Key Performers
- Georgia: Noah Thomasson led all scorers with 22 points, shooting an efficient 8-of-14 from the field, including four three-pointers. Jabri Abdur-Rahim added 15 points, while Justin Hill chipped in with 13 points and five assists.
- Vanderbilt: Ezra Manjon paced the Commodores with 18 points and four assists. Tyrin Lawrence contributed 16 points, while Ven-Allen Lubin finished with 12 points and nine rebounds.
Senior Day Emotions and Reflections
The loss dampened what was meant to be a celebratory occasion for Vanderbilt’s seniors. Manjon and Lawrence, both key contributors throughout the season, received standing ovations from the home crowd during pregame introductions. Despite the disappointing outcome, the seniors expressed gratitude for their time at Vanderbilt and the support from fans.
“This place has meant a lot to me,” Manjon said after the game. “Obviously, we wanted to win today, but I’m proud of the fight we showed.”
Looking Ahead
With the loss, Vanderbilt falls to 8-22 overall and 3-14 in SEC play, while Georgia improves to 17-13 (7-10 SEC). The Commodores will close out their regular season on the road before heading into the SEC Tournament, where they will need a deep run to keep their postseason hopes alive.
Coach Stackhouse emphasized the need to regroup quickly. “We have to move on and focus on what’s ahead. We’ve shown we can compete, but we need to execute better for 40 minutes.”
As Vanderbilt looks ahead, the focus will be on finishing the season strong and building momentum for the conference tournament. Despite a tough season, the Commodores will aim to play spoiler and make some noise in postseason play.
