Strong second half helps Vandy blow by Georgia
Vanderbilt survived a poor first half by out-scoring Georgia by 23 in the second half, as the Commodores waltzed by the Bulldogs 63-41 on Friday evening in New Orleans to advance to the Southeastern Conference Tournament semifinals on Saturday.
Vandy's Brad Tinsley scored the first six points after the break, and the 'Dores never looked back. Tinsley has 12 points, and was one of four Commodores - the others being John Jenkins (15 points), Lance Goulbourne and Festus Ezeli (10 each) - to reach double-figures in scoring.
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The Commodores got it done with defense, forcing 17 UGA turnovers and holding the Bulldogs to 32 percent shooting.
Vanderbilt trailed 25-24 at half, even though the Bulldogs rested three starters who had two fouls for a good portion of the first half. Seldom-used John Cannon, who played 21 minutes all SEC season, led Georgia with a career-high six points at half.
Vandy will play Ole Miss at 2:30 Central on Saturday. The winner will play the winner of Saturday's Florida-Kentucky tilt.