Vanderbilt Commodores guard Jason Edwards (1) is fouled by Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks guard Ralph Martino Jr. (1) on the shot during their game at Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. Vanderbilt looks to rebound from its first loss of the season when it hosts Tennessee Tech on Friday afternoon in Nashville, Tenn.
The Commodores (6-1) played well in wins over Nevada and Seton Hall before they fell to Drake 81-70 in the title game of the Charleston Classic on Sunday night.
Jason Edwards had 26 points but also five turnovers in a game in which Vanderbilt’s offense often looked disjointed against the Bulldogs’ defense.
“Obviously we did some good things, (going) 2-1 against a good field,” Vanderbilt coach Mark Byington said. “This is a setback … but setbacks are learning opportunities that really help us. Drake played great. They’re a well-tuned machine, well-coached. They out-physicaled us, they did a lot of things that kind of took us back.”
Edwards (17.4 points per game) is one of four Commodores who average double-figure scoring, along with Devin McGlockton (12.9), AJ Hoggard (11.2) and Tyler Nickel (10.9).
McGlockton, Vanderbilt’s leading rebounder (7.7), sat out most of the second half of the Drake loss with what appeared to be a minor injury. He was missed as the Commodores were clobbered on the boards, 37-20.
Tennessee Tech (4-3) snapped a two-game losing streak with Wednesday’s 90-75 win over Presbyterian behind 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists from Jaylon Johnson.
Johnson (13.4 points per game) is part of a balanced scoring attack that includes Rodney Johnson Jr. (14.3), Daniel Egbuniwe (14.0), Mekhi Cameron (11.3) and Kyle Layton (10.4).
“The biggest challenge for us right now is on the defensive end of the floor,” coach John Pelphrey said earlier this month. “We’ve got to find some consistency, we’ve got to find some communication, we’ve got to find some leadership.”
Tech has allowed 83, 80 and 75 points in games against UT Rio Grande Valley, UCF and Presbyterian in its last three contests, respectively.
The Golden Eagles will be playing their second game against an SEC opponent, having lost 83-78 in its Nov. 4 season opener at Georgia.
–Field Level Media
