Vanderbilt basketball falls to Georgia as Scotty Pippen Jr.’s game-winning attempt is blocked

Even in a season of losses, Vanderbilt basketball will remember the sting of Saturday’s 73-70 defeat at Georgia. 

Trailing by one with 15 seconds remaining, Vanderbilt had a chance to win its second SEC game of the season.

But as guard Scotty Pippen Jr. went up for a layup, Georgia forward Toumani Camara swatted the shot away to deny Vanderbilt (5-9, 1-7 SEC) its first win over the Bulldogs (12-6, 5-6 SEC) since Jan. 7, 2018.

© Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2021; Athens, Georgia, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (2) dribbles against Georgia Bulldogs forward P.J. Horne (24) during the first half at Stegeman Coliseum.

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Georgia made two free throws to ice the game. 

Pippen finished with 12 points on 3-for-12 shooting. He also had five assists. 

Quiet night for Pippen Jr.

Pippen attempted just two 3-pointers. It was his most reserved performance in SEC play, as six of his points came on free throws. 

Pippen’s 21.7 points per game rank second in the SEC. 

Dylan Disu thrives in second half 

Disu had four points on 2-for-4 shooting in the first half.

But with 12:38 left remaining, Disu went on a tear, scoring nine straight points and keeping the Commodores in a one-possession game. Disu finished with 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting and six rebounds.

© Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2021; Athens, Georgia, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard D.J. Harvey (5) tries to get to the basket against Georgia Bulldogs forward Andrew Garcia (4) during the first half at Stegeman Coliseum.

A tale of halves within halves

Vanderbilt wreaked havoc on defense during the first 10 minutes of the first half, forcing nine turnovers. The Commodores took their first lead by knocking down four of their first five shots, with Pippen, Disu and Jordan Wright involved. Vanderbilt worked up a four-point lead with 9:56 remaining in the first half.

Georgia senior P.J. Horne changed the game from the 3-point line. The 6-6 graduate transfer from Virginia Tech hit his first four shots, including three 3-pointers. Horne finished with 14 points.

The second half was similar. Georgia turned over the ball five times in the first five minutes, and Vanderbilt turned it into eight points to cut its deficit to 52-50 with 14:56 remaining. The Bulldogs turned it over 11 times in the second half, leading to 17 points for Vanderbilt.

Georgia’s Wheeler leads fast attack

The Bulldogs were led by point guard Sahvir Wheeler, who took advantage with Disu out with foul trouble. Wheeler added three assists in those final minutes, leading a hurry-up offense that turned a tie game at 30 into a 13-4 run and seven-point lead to end the first half.

When Disu returned, Wheeler’s confidence and aggression in driving to the basket could not be stopped. The sophomore from Houston finished with 16 points and nine assists. 

Auburn is coming to town

Auburn lost to Ole Miss on Saturday on a Devontae Shuler buzzer-beater. The Tigers (10-10, 6-4 SEC) will come to Memorial Gym on Tuesday. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt basketball falls to Georgia as Scotty Pippen Jr.’s game-winning attempt is blocked