It took a spark from the bench for the Vanderbilt Commodores to get going on Monday night in their first game back after a 12-day break for final exams.
After spotting Arizona State a 9-0 lead in the game’s first four minutes, Aaron Nesmith finally got the Commodores on the board with a three-pointer with 15:45 left in the first half. But with the offense scuffling early on, Vanderbilt’s defense managed to keep Arizona State in check as they clawed back to within 11-10. After a Simisola Shittu layup knotted the game at 16, the Commodores went cold, letting Arizona State build a 25-16 lead with 5:56 to go in the first half.