NASSAU, The Bahamas — No. 24/23 Vanderbilt men’s basketball rode four double-figure scorers and a stifling defensive effort to roll past VCU, 89-74, in the Battle 4 Atlantis semifinal Thursday. The Commodores will compete for the title on Friday in a noon CT tip on ESPN2.
Duke Miles racked up a game-high 20 points, his fourth 20-point performance of the season, to lead the Commodores (7-0) offensively. Tyler Tanner added 16 points to pair with five assists and a pair of steals. Tyler Nickel also dropped 16 points while adding three assists and a career-high three steals in the victory.
Jalen Washington delivered his best game as a Commodore, knocking down all five shots he took en route to an 11-point, 8-rebound performance. He also matched a career high with four assists.
Vanderbilt lit up Imperial Arena, shooting 52.9 percent from the field and 50.0 from three-point range. The Dores also hammered the boards, outrebounding VCU 43-29. Vandy continued its elite early season passing with 18 assists on 27 made buckets.
VCU (4-3) was paced by 16 points from Nyk Lewis and 15 from Jadrian Terry. The Dores held the Rams to a season-low 74 points. VCU shot just 35.7 percent from the field and 24.1 from beyond the arc.
The Dores jumped to a 20-4 lead in the opening minutes before 24 first half free throws helped VCU close within a pair at the break. Leading 43-41, Vandy opened the second half on a 14-6 run to seize a 10-point edge. The Rams pulled within six with 12 minutes to play before a 7-0 Commodore run put the Dores in full control. An 11-0 Vandy spurt pushed the advantage to 20 with 3:16 to play as the Dores rolled to 7-0 on the season.
Vanderbilt will face Saint Mary’s (Calif.) in the Battle 4 Atlantis final Friday at noon CT on ESPN2.
