Vanderbilt
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (03/18/2026) — Powered by a masterful 26-point performance from Tyler Tanner, the Vanderbilt Commodores overcame an early double-digit deficit to secure a 78-68 victory over the McNeese Cowboys on Wednesday night at the Paycom Center.
Vanderbilt shot a blistering 51% from the field and relied on timely second-half scoring to pull away, weathering a hot start from the Cowboys and asserting control in the game's final ten minutes.
How It Happened
McNeese came out firing, quickly establishing an offensive rhythm. Tyshawn Archie scored the game's first basket with a floating jump shot at the 18:53 mark, and a barrage of three-pointers followed. A deep three from Larry Johnson and another from Archie just 37 seconds later put the Cowboys up 8-3. The early lead ballooned to 19-8 when Garwey Dual connected from behind the arc with 13:50 remaining in the first half, forcing Vanderbilt to regroup.
The Commodores began to methodically chip away at the deficit. Devin McGlockton answered with a dunk, and a three-pointer from Tyler Nickel at the 11:57 mark cut the McNeese lead to 21-15. Vanderbilt's long-range shooting proved to be the equalizer. Trailing 26-23, AK Okereke hit a 24-foot three-pointer, and Tyler Nickel gave the Commodores their first lead of the game, 30-28, with a 25-footer at the 4:09 mark.
After a back-and-forth finish to the half, which saw Javohn Garcia briefly reclaim the lead for McNeese, another Okereke three sent Vanderbilt into the locker room with a 38-35 advantage.
Vanderbilt carried that momentum into the second half, opening with a 7-0 run capped by a Tyler Nickel three-pointer to extend the lead to 45-35 just under two minutes in. McNeese refused to fold, battling back over the next ten minutes. A 28-foot three from DJ Richards Jr. with 7:25 on the clock pulled the Cowboys to within one possession at 60-57, setting the stage for a tense finish.
Turning Point
With the game hanging in the balance, Tyler Tanner took over. Just 25 seconds after McNeese cut the lead to three, Tanner answered with a deep three of his own to push the margin back to six. With 3:51 remaining, Tanner struck again from long range, hitting a 25-footer that extended the Vanderbilt lead to 68-60.
This sequence effectively broke McNeese's comeback bid. The Commodores executed down the stretch, punctuated by a Devin McGlockton dunk with 45 seconds left that made it 74-63 and sealed the outcome.
Star of the Game
Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt Commodores
Tanner was the unquestioned engine for the Vanderbilt offense. He finished with a game-high 26 points, adding 7 rebounds and 5 assists in a complete performance. He was efficient, aggressive, and delivered the critical shots that halted McNeese's momentum in the second half. He was complemented by Devin McGlockton, who posted a double-double with 12 points and 8 rebounds, and Duke Miles, who added 13 points and 3 assists.
For McNeese, Garwey Dual led the way with a strong all-around game, scoring 16 points and dishing out 6 assists. Larry Johnson (15 points), Tyshawn Archie (13 points), and Javohn Garcia (10 points) also finished in double figures.
What It Means
For Vanderbilt, the victory demonstrates the team's resilience and offensive firepower. Overcoming an 11-point first-half deficit with efficient shooting (51% FG, 38% 3PT) showcases their ability to make in-game adjustments and lean on their primary playmakers in clutch moments. The balanced scoring, with four players reaching double digits, is a positive sign for the Commodores' offense moving forward.
For McNeese, the loss marks the end of a hard-fought contest where a cold shooting night proved too much to overcome. The Cowboys shot just 36% from the field, a number that wasn't sustainable against a high-powered Vanderbilt attack. Despite forcing 13 turnovers, they couldn't convert enough on the offensive end to keep pace in the decisive final minutes.