Vanderbilt basketball, Jerry Stackhouse snap losing streak with win over Ole Miss

Aria Gerson, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read
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Vanderbilt basketball came into Saturday reeling, but at least for one day it was able to recover to end a three-game losing streak.

After a 57-point loss to Alabama, the worst for Vanderbilt since 2003, coach Jerry Stackhouse defended himself and athletics director Candice Lee expressed her support. Though the questions about his tenure continue, Stackhouse and the Commodores got a much-needed win over Ole Miss, 74-71, on Saturday at Memorial Gymnasium.

Vanderbilt (11-12, 4-6 SEC) went on a 10-0 run late in the second half to all but seal the game against Ole Miss (9-14, 1-9).

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Liam Robbins is back

Liam Robbins, in his second game back from an ankle injury, was all over the floor in both facets of the game. Starting alongside fellow center Quentin Millora-Brown, Robbins was inefficient from the field but frequently made his way to the free-throw line and his presence known in rebounding and blocked shots. He nearly had a triple-double: 19 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocks.

Robbins briefly left the game in the second half after going down hard behind the basket but returned a few minutes later.

Millora-Brown scored a season-high 10 points.

Tyrin Lawrence's return

Guard Tyrin Lawrence did not play against Alabama, sitting out due to Stackhouse's displeasure with his demeanor at practice. Lawrence was back in the starting lineup against the Rebels.

In his return, Lawrence was more efficient than typical and set a career high in rebounds while playing a team-high in minutes. He finished with a double-double in one of his best games of the season: 18 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.

Without Jordan Wright

Vanderbilt was without wing Jordan Wright due to a concussion suffered during the loss to the Crimson Tide. In his absence, forward Colin Smith saw more time and Stackhouse frequently opted to play Trey Thomas alongside Lawrence and Ezra Manjon in ultra-small lineup sets.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt basketball, Jerry Stackhouse beat Ole Miss to end losing skid