AP News, December 23rd, 2007
Shan Foster scored 22 points and No. 17 Vanderbilt overcame pesky Tennessee State, 83-74 on Saturday night.
The Commodores rallied from a nine-point deficit to improve to 11-0, one win away from tying a school-best 12-0 start by the 2003-04 team. The Tigers were seeking their first win over their cross-city rival in six games.
Alex Gordon finished with 16 points for Vanderbilt, and A.J. Ogilvy added 14.
Gerald Robinson scored 13 points in a span of 2:38 to stake Tennessee State to a 55-47 lead. A free throw by LaDarious Weaver made it 56-47 with 11:53 left, giving the Tigers (3-7) their largest lead of the game.
Vanderbilt stormed back behind strong 3-point shooting, going on an 18-4 run to reclaim the lead. Gordon made consecutive 3s, Keegan Bell added one and Foster sank two to give the Commodores a 65-60 lead with 7:33 remaining.
Five straight points by Tennessee State's Bruce Price, capped by a steal and layup, tied the score at 65 with 7:03 to go.
Gordon answered with a jumper and Ross Neltner scored on a layup, putting Vanderbilt ahead 69-65 with 4:26 remaining. The Commodores would not trail again, and a 3-pointer by Jermaine Beal was the final blow, pushing the Vanderbilt lead to 76-70 with 2:27 left.
The Commodores made five of six free throws in the final 1:13 to help secure the victory.
Vanderbilt shot 57.7 percent from the field in the second half after shooting only 37.9 in the first half. The Commodores made seven of nine 3-pointers in the second half.
Robinson led Tennessee State with 24 points, while Price added 19.
Price scored 12 points in the first half to spark a 35-33 Tennessee State lead at the break.
