Recap: Vanderbilt vs. Murray State
Sports Network | March 18, 2010
San Jose, CA (Sports Network) - Danero Thomas sank a pull-up jumper with time expiring to lift 13th-seeded Murray State to a 66-65 win over fourth-seeded Vanderbilt in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
After an inbound with 4.2 seconds left, Thomas got the ball from Isacc Miles near the top of the arc and dribbled inside the three-point line on the right side. He rose up, drilling the jumper over the outstretched arms of two Vanderbilt defenders to send the Racers into the second round in the West Region.
"It was something I drew up at the end of the game," Murray State head coach Billy Kennedy said. "Something we've never done before, and Isacc Miles made the right play and fortunately, Danero Thomas made a shot."
Miles had 17 points and six rebounds for Murray State (31-4), which got just its second-ever NCAA Tournament win. The Racers, who have won 22 of their last 23, will face fifth-seeded Butler in the second round. Butler beat UTEP, 77-59, later Thursday.
B.J. Jenkins had 14 points and Thomas finished with 11 for Murray State, the Ohio Valley Conference champion.
John Jenkins scored 13 points to lead Vanderbilt (24-9), which ended its season with a second straight setback, having lost to Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament semifinals. A.J. Ogilvy and Jermaine Beal each scored 12 points.
The loss was history repeating itself, as the Commodores were also seeded fourth the last time they were in the NCAA Tournament, in 2008, when they were ousted by Siena in the first round.
"They made one more than we did," Vanderbilt head coach Kevin Stallings said. "I think that the things that plagued our team all season long showed up today, unfortunately. But our guys fought hard, they competed hard and that just wasn't enough today, and we're extremely disappointed."
Thursday's game was closer, and with just under five minutes left, Vanderbilt took a 58-56 lead on John Jenkins' three. He added a jumper about a minute later for a four-point edge, but Murray State's Isaiah Canaan countered with a three.
Moments later, B.J. Jenkins' make from beyond the arc put the Racers back on top, 62-60, and Thomas' step-back jumper had them ahead 64-61 with a little over a minute left.
But the Commodores again took the lead. Ogilvy banked in a layup at the other end, and after Miles turned the ball over driving along the baseline, Beal was fouled on a dunk attempt set up by a backdoor pass from Ogilvy.
Beal made both with 12.7 seconds to play, and the outcome looked bleak for Murray State after Jenkins missed a three. However, the Racers retained possession after the ball went out of bounds in the ensuing scrum for the rebound.
The game was close the entire way, and near the end of the first half, Murray State ran off seven consecutive points to move in front. Thomas capped the rally with just over five minutes left on a layup, giving the Racers a 31-27 lead. They were up 36-32 at the break.
Murray State expanded its lead to a game-high eight several times in the second half, including when two Miles foul shots made it a 44-36 game. But Vanderbilt followed with the next six to stay close.
The Commodores continued to trail, but only by a possession or two, and pulled even when Brad Tinsley's two free throws with 7:35 left tied the contest at 52-52.
Murray State improved to 2-13 all-time in the tourney. The Racers' only other win was in 1988, a 78-75 triumph over NC State...Murray State made 9-of-17 free throws, while Vanderbilt shot 17-of-29 from the line...The Racers held a 39-33 rebounding edge...Vanderbilt still leads the all-time series between the schools, 3-2.
