Vanderbilt got double-figure scoring from five players in a 105-61 demolition of Lipscomb inside Vanderbilt’s Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tenn., in a battle of schools separated by three miles.
The Commodores never trailed and led by 30 at halftime, spoiling the Lipscomb debut of coach Kevin Carroll, a former Bison assistant who was the head coach at nearby NCAA Division II Trevecca last season.
Vanderbilt’s athleticism was a problem for Lipscomb from the beginning on both ends of the floor. The Commodores shot 55.9 percent, canned 17 three-pointers, outrebounded Lipscomb 37-34 and registered 13 steals and six blocks.
The Commodores were led in scoring by Tyler Nickel (20), Tyler Tanner (18), Tyler Harris (15), AJ Okereke (16) and Duke Miles (10).
Tanner, the team’s starting point guard, added four steals and three blocks.
Devin McGlockton, Vanderbilt’s only other returning starter, chipped in with six points and 12 rebounds.
Lipscomb’s two returning starters, Charlie Williams and Grant Asman, scored two and three points, respectively. Newcomer Ross Candelino, a former Wisconsin walk-on, led the team with 15 points. High Point transfer Titas Sargiunas added 14.
Vandy’s Miles hit a three to open the second half to start a 10-0 run in the first 2:22, making the lead 66-26.
The Commodores hit triple digits when freshman Jaylon Dean-Vines made a jumper with 3:23 left.
Vanderbilt led 56-26 at half behind 15 from Harris, 14 from Nickel and 11 from Tanner, outshooting Lipscomb 53.8 percent to 24.1 percent while outrebounding the Bisons 24-15.
Vanderbilt scored the game’s first 12 points, with Nickel canning a pair of threes and Tanner adding another before Lipscomb’s Candelino hit a three with 15:56 left in the half.
The Commodores’ Frankie Collins had two quick steals, leading to layups from Nickel and McGlockton with 8:30 and 8:45 left, respectively, which made the lead 31-12.
Vanderbilt forward Mason Nicholson, a transfer from Jacksonville State who was expected to play a big role in the front court, was out with an illness.
