Vanderbilt basketball snaps 14-game losing streak to Kentucky, wins at Rupp Arena for first time since 2007

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Vanderbilt basketball snapped its third long drought of the season, beating Kentucky, 68-66 on Wednesday night, to end a 14-game losing streak against the Wildcats and win at Rupp Arena for the first time since 2007.

Vanderbilt led most of the second half, but Kentucky came back to tie with less than 3 minutes to play thanks to rebounding, free throws and a scoring drought from the Commodores, then took its first lead of the half with 1:05 to go.

But Jordan Wright tied the game again with a layup, then after Vanderbilt (17-13, 10-7 SEC) got a stop, he hit a midrange jumper to give the Commodores a lead with 2.6 seconds remaining.

It was coach Jerry Stackhouse's first win over Kentucky (20-10, 11-6).

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Robbins hurt

Just four minutes into the game, center Liam Robbins went down, grabbing his right ankle, and had to be helped off the court. He was replaced by Quentin Millora-Brown.

Millora-Brown scored seven points in the second half, including his first career 3-pointer. He had 10 points and five rebounds.

Foul trouble

Vanderbilt, normally a good team at avoiding foul trouble, had to navigate foul trouble in this one, including two early fouls on Ezra Manjon that limited him to 10 minutes in the first half.

The Commodores frequently put double- and triple-teams on Oscar Tshiebwe, but that also led to foul calls as Tshiebwe used his size to his advantage. Though Tshiebwe was inefficient from the floor, he racked up points from the free-throw line.

Millora-Brown got his fourth foul six minutes into the second half, forcing freshman Malik Dia into duty at center. That led to struggles rebounding from Vanderbilt against Tshiebwe.

Wright, Manjon and Millora-Brown all played with four fouls late in the second half.

Lawrence performance

Tyrin Lawrence had one of his best performances of the season with 21 points.

Lawrence and Wright carried the team offensively as the rest of the team struggled to score.

Wright's 23 points were his highest scoring output since a loss to St. Mary's in November.