Vanderbilt knocks Kentucky out of SEC Tournament with 80-73 victory

For the second time this season, Kentucky was upset by Vanderbilt.

On Friday night in the quarterfinals of the 2023 SEC Tournament, the Wildcats were knocked out of the conference tournament by the Commodores, losing 80-73 despite leading by double-digits in the first half. Three different Kentucky players scored at least 19 points, led by 22 from Antonio Reeves. Jacob Toppin added 21 points and 11 rebounds to the cause while Oscar Tshiebwe posted 19 points and 15 rebounds. No other Wildcat scored more than seven points.

Vanderbilt shot the ball incredibly well, converting 49 percent of its shots from the floor, 40 percent from beyond the arc, and 90 percent from the free throw line. The ‘Dores were engineered by 25 points from Ezra Manjon while Jordan Wright and Tyrin Lawrence both chipped in 18 points a piece. Meanwhile, Kentucky shot 42 percent from the field and just 11-20 (55 percent) from the charity stripe.

Final. pic.twitter.com/uO9p8jr4yg

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) March 11, 2023

Kentucky certainly came out ready to play. More specifically, Reeves looked ready to build off his 37-point performance from the Wildcats’ most recent outing. The senior sharpshooter hit back-to-back triples in the opening minutes that gave UK a quick 14-4 lead and forced a timeout from Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse. That short break was important for the Commodores, though.

Out of the timeout, Vanderbilt strung together its own run, bringing the score back to just two points as Kentucky’s lead shrunk to 14-12. Another mini-run from the Wildcats made it 19-12 at the midway point of the opening half but the Commodores continued to answer. After trailing for the entire first half, Vanderbilt took its first lead, 35-34, with 32 seconds left until the intermission. A clutch three-pointer from Wright with just two seconds left made it 39-34 in favor of Vandy at the break.

It wouldn’t get any easier for the ‘Cats. Vanderbilt struck first to start the second half, building a double-digit lead before the first media timeout. Another triple from Wright gave the Commodores a 52-40 advantage as Kentucky was officially in the danger zone. UK still had some fight left though. An 8-0 run from the ‘Cats made it 63-60 in favor of Vanderbilt with under seven minutes left in regulation as the ‘Dores began to go cold.

But apparent disaster would soon strike Kentucky as star freshman Cason Wallace limped off the floor with just five minutes to go after appearing to reinjure his hurt left leg. At the final media timeout, Vanderbilt was clinging to a 70-64 lead. Wallace managed to return to the floor, but Tshiebwe would miss the front end of a one-and-one on two separate possessions that proved to be killers for the ‘Cats.

Kentucky still had life with 90 seconds left, down just four at 73-69, but Vanderbilt’s Tyrin Lawrence buried a timely jumper to make it a six-point lead. Reeves would foul out on the ensuing possession as the Wildcats’ hopes of a comeback quickly faded away. Vanderbilt would lock up the win at the free-throw line down the stretch.

Vanderbilt advances to the SEC Tournament semifinals on Saturday afternoon while Kentucky will head back to Lexington and wait until Selection Sunday before learning its path in the NCAA Tournament.