Vanderbilt Stays Alive In NIT With Comeback Win Over Michigan

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Photo: Courtesy of Vanderbilt Athletics

Vanderbilt continues to roll through the NIT after pulling off a comeback in the final minute to beat Michigan 66-65 in the NIT Second Round at Memorial Gym on Saturday, March 18.

The Commodores went on a brilliant 9-0 run in the last minute of the game, lifting them over an eight-point deficit to punch their ticket to the quarterfinals of the NIT.

“That was Memorial Magic if you’ve ever seen it before. We just kept fighting, and we found a way,” said Vanderbilt Head Coach Jerry Stackhouse in a postgame interview.

Tyrin Lawrence shined scoring a game-high of 24 points including a 3-point play with 58 seconds remaining, starting Vandy’s comeback rally. Ezra Manjon made a pair of free throws and a driving layup in adding 17 points. Lawrence added a team-best nine rebounds, with Quentin Millora-Brown contributing five, and Colin Smith scored all 11 of his points for Vandy in the first half. Vanderbilt overcame a 39-23 deficit on the boards by forcing 15 turnovers and outscoring Michigan 34-22 in the paint.

The Commodores are now set to face the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the NIT quarterfinals which will be hosted at Memorial Gym on Wednesday, March 22 at 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.

Steven Boero
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