Collin Chandler Scores Career High 23 Points as Kentucky Defeats No. 25 Vanderbilt 91-77

LEXINGTON — Collin Chandler erupted for a career high 23 points, leading Kentucky to a 91-77 win over No. 25 Vanderbilt on Saturday and splitting the regular-season series after a 25-point loss in Nashville earlier this year.

Chandler tied his personal best with 6 three pointers, including five in the first half, helping the Wildcats (19-10, 10-6 Southeastern Conference) build a 46-31 halftime lead. Otega Oweh matched Chandler with 23 points, dominating inside and securing key rebounds to maintain Kentucky’s control throughout the second half. Denzel Aberdeen added 15 points, including three 3-pointers, bolstering Kentucky’s perimeter shooting.

Vanderbilt (22-9, 9-7) relied on Tyler Tanner’s 19 points and Jalen Washington’s 16, but the Commodores could not overcome Kentucky’s early momentum. Tyler Nickel added 13 points, AK Okereke 12, and Duke Miles 11, yet turnovers and inconsistent shooting hampered their comeback efforts. Kentucky limited mistakes, committing just 11 turnovers compared with 56 over their previous four games, a key factor in controlling the pace.

The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for Kentucky against Florida, Georgia, and Auburn earlier this month, reinforcing their standing in the SEC tournament race. The Wildcats’ efficient shooting, balanced scoring, and defensive discipline highlight a team trending upward as postseason play approaches.

Next steps: Kentucky travels to Texas A&M on Tuesday for a crucial SEC matchup, while Vanderbilt visits Mississippi, both teams aiming to secure seeding and positioning ahead of the conference tournament.