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Vanderbilt does just enough against Texas A&M

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Vanderbilt Coach Kevin Stallings glanced at the final box Saturday and seemed as amazed as anyone at the outcome.

“It’s surprising we would come out with a win, because eight points from our wing players is usually not enough,” Stallings said following the Commodores’ 66-55 victory over Texas A&M before 6,520 fans in Reed Arena.

Rod Odom entered the game averaging a team-high 14.5 points per game but managed only five. Dai-Jon Parker chipped in three points, less than half of his usual 6.8 per game. No worries, though, because forward James Siakam had 22 points and 10 rebounds in Vanderbilt’s first road victory in SEC action.

“A career day for him,” A&M Coach Billy Kennedy said of Siakam, who was averaging 7.1 points before notching his career high.

The Aggies led 34-33 five minutes into the second half before the Commodores ripped off 13 consecutive points to build a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Kyle Fuller and Siakam accounted for 11 points in that decisive span.

“I don’t think we were locked in or whatever we’re supposed to be,” A&M guard Jordan Green said of the Aggies’ third consecutive loss following their solid start in SEC play. “That won’t happen again.”

A&M (12-7, 3-3 SEC) cut Vanderbilt’s lead to 52-48 with 4:49 remaining, but the Commodores (10-8, 2-4) used a 14-7 run to close out the scoring and hand the Aggiesa third consecutive loss.

Kourtney Roberson led the Aggies with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Fuller added 19 for the Commodores.

Vanderbilt put the clamps on A&M’s leading scorer, Jamal Jones, who finished 1 of 9 from the field with 7 points. He entered the game averaging 18 points in SEC play.

Vanderbilt forward Luke Kornet surprised Stallings as well. The 7-footer made 3 of 5 three-pointers, all in the first half, after entering the game having made one of his previous 21 attempts.

Neither team was particularly good from the three point line, but Vanderbilt was better by making 7 of 22 (31.8 percent) compared to the Aggies’ 4 of 18 (22.2 percent).

In other SEC men’s games Saturday, Michael Frazier II scored 17 points, Scottie Wilbekin added 13 and No. 6 Florida handled Tennessee 67-41 for its 11th consecutive victory. The Gators (17-2, 6-0) ended a three-game losing streak in the series and extended their school record for consecutive home victories to 26. ... Jabari Brown had 24 points with a career-best six assists and Jordan Clarkson added 22 points, helping host Missouri handle South Carolina 82-74. Earnest Ross added 14 points for the Tigers (15-4, 3-3 SEC), who led by at least 10 most of the way and kept the Gamecocks (7-12, 0-6) winless in conference play. ... Marshall Henderson and Jarvis Summers scored 19 points each to lead host Mississippi past Mississippi State 82-63. Summers scored on the game’s opening possession, driving to the basket for a layup, and Ole Miss (14-5, 5-1) never trailed. ... Aaron Harrison scored 15 points and No. 14 Kentucky pulled away from visiting Georgia for a 79-54 victory. Julius Randle added 14 points and James Young had 13, including a couple of second-half three-pointers for Kentucky (15-4, 5-1), which won its third consecutive game. ... Trevor Releford had 21 points to lead four players with at least 10 points as Alabama hung on to beat visiting LSU 82-80. Rodney Cooper had 19 points, Shannon Hale 17 points and Levi Randolph 14 points for the Crimson Tide. Johnny O’Bryant III led LSU with 18 points.

Sports, Pages 24 on 01/26/2014

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