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

Feb 8, 2021

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


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.



Feb 6, 2021; Athens, Georgia, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Jordan Wright (4) and Georgia Bulldogs guard Sahvir Wheeler (2) fight for control of the ball during the first half at Stegeman Coliseum.



Vanderbilt forward Dylan Disu (1) dunks over South Carolina defenders during the first half at Memorial Gym Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.



Vanderbilt forward Ejike Obinna (50) drives in a dunk during the first half against South Carolina at Memorial Gym Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.



Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse argues a referee’s call during the first half of their game against South Carolina at Memorial Gym Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.



Vanderbilt forward Dylan Disu (1) shoots over South Carolina forward Justin Minaya (10) during the first half at Memorial Gym Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.



Vanderbilt guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (2) shoots over South Carolina forward Justin Minaya (10) during the first half at Memorial Gym Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.



Jan 27, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (2) shoots as Florida Gators guard Tyree Appleby (22) defends during the first half at Billy Donovan Court at Exactech Arena.



Jan 27, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard D.J. Harvey (5) drives to the basket as Florida Gators guard Noah Locke (10) defends during the first half at Billy Donovan Court at Exactech Arena.



Jan 27, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores forward Dylan Disu (1) drives to the basket as Florida Gators guard Noah Locke (10) defends during the first half at Billy Donovan Court at Exactech Arena.



Jan 23, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (2) scores in the lane during the first half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Memorial Gymnasium.



Jan 23, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Jerry Stackhouse talks in a huddle during the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Memorial Gymnasium.



Jan 23, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard D.J. Harvey (5) is defended by Arkansas Razorbacks guard Moses Moody (5) on a play during the first half at Memorial Gymnasium.



Vanderbilt guard Maxwell Evans (3), Tennessee’s Yves Pons (35), and Vanderbilt forward Clevon Brown (15) keep their eyes on the ball during a game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021.



Vanderbilt Head Coach Jerry Stackhouse yells to the court during a game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021.



Jan 9, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (2) passes the ball as he draws a blocking foul from Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Jalen Johnson (0) during the first half at Memorial Gymnasium.



Jan 9, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Deivon Smith (5) attempts a shot around pressure from Vanderbilt Commodores forward Myles Stute (10) and Vanderbilt Commodores guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (2) during the first half at Memorial Gymnasium.



Jan 5, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Jordan Wright (4) shoots a three during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Arden Barnes-USA TODAY Sports



Jan 5, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Isaiah Jackson (right) is blocked by Vanderbilt Commodores forward Dylan Disu (left) during the first half at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Arden Barnes-USA TODAY Sports



Jan 5, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Isaiah Jackson (23) and guard Brandon Boston Jr. (3) block a shot by Vanderbilt Commodores guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (2) during the first half at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Arden Barnes-USA TODAY Sports



Dec 30, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Jerry Stackhouse questions a call made by an official during the second half against the Florida Gators at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports



Dec 30, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Jordan Wright (4) scores past Florida Gators guard Scottie Lewis (23) during the first half at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports



Dec 30, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard D.J. Harvey (5) works against Florida Gators guard Tyree Appleby (22) during the second half at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports



Vanderbilt’s Dylan Disu attempts a shot while being guarded by Tolu Smith of Mississippi State during their game at Vanderbilt’s Memorial Gym Saturday, January 9, 2021.



Vanderbilt’s Maxwell Evans shoots a basket during their game against Mississippi State at Vanderbilt’s Memorial Gym Saturday, January 9, 2021.



Vanderbilt’s Myles Stute and Iverson Molinar of Mississippi State struggle for control of the ball during their game at Vanderbilt’s Memorial Gym Saturday, January 9, 2021.



Vanderbilt guard Jordan Wright (4) shoots over Mississippi Valley State guard Alexander Perry (1) during their game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn.



Vanderbilt guard Trey Thomas (12) passes the ball off as he’s pressured by a Mississippi Valley State player during their game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn.



Vanderbilt guard Tyrin Lawrence (0) drives against Mississippi Valley State guard Treylan Smith (0) during their game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn.



Nov 27, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores players celebrate after defeating the Valparaiso Crusaders at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports



Vanderbilt guard Issac McBride (13) goes for a shot as he’s defended by Mississippi Valley State guard Alexander Perry (1) during their game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn.



Vanderbilt guard Trey Thomas (12) passes the ball off as heÕs defended by Mississippi Valley State guard Treylan Smith (0) during their game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn.



Nov 27, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores players sit in the bench area during the first half against the Valparaiso Crusaders at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports



Nov 27, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Maxwell Evans (3) shoots against the Valparaiso Crusaders during the first half at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports



Dec 16, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Jordan Wright (4) slams the ball against the Richmond Spiders during the second half at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports



Nov 27, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Jerry Stackhouse yells from the bench during the second half against the Valparaiso Crusaders at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports



Dec 16, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Richmond Spiders forward Souleymane Koureissi (2) blocks the shot of Vanderbilt Commodores guard Tyrin Lawrence (0) during the first half at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports



37/37 SLIDES

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.



a man hitting a ball with a racket: 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.

© 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.



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.

© 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.

For story ideas, contact Drake Hills at [email protected] Follow Drake on Twitter at @LiveLifeDrake.

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

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