NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Wofford men's basketball team fell to 23rd-ranked Vanderbilt, 80-56, Saturday night at Memorial Gymnasium. It was the first meeting between the two teams since 2003.
 
Vanderbilt (7-3) used an 11-0 run in the first half to create separation. Wofford (3-7) was able to cut a 16-point halftime deficit to 10 by hitting its first four shots of the second half, but that was as close as it got. Vanderbilt shot 50 percent in both halves and led by as many as 29 before the final horn sounded.
 
"We are back on our heels and not playing with a lot of confidence," said Terrier head coach Mike Young. "Thank goodness we're not going to see anybody like Damian Jones the rest of the regular season. That guy is pretty good."
 
Preseason First Team All-SEC selection Damian Jones scored a game-high 21 points. The 7-foot, 245-pound junior overpowered the Terriers inside, shooting 7-of-13 from the floor and adding seven more at the free throw line. Jones also skied for four blocks and seven rebounds.
 
Jones headed four double-figure scorers for the Commodores. Jeff Roberson had 13 while both Wade Baldwin IV and Matthew Fisher-Davis netted 10. Fisher-Davis led all players with 11 rebounds.
 
For Wofford, senior Spencer Collins scored a team-high 13 points. He and senior Justin Gordon led the Terriers with five boards apiece. Gordon also scored in double figures with 11.
 
The Terriers struggled offensively, especially in the first half, where they shot 22.6 percent and made just seven field goals. They had a much better second half of 46.7 percent, but could not keep pace with the Commodores. Vanderbilt's 50-percent shooting night included a 10-of-17 (58.8 pct.) mark from 3-point land.
 
Wofford played solid defense to slow Vanderbilt through the first 11 minutes. The Commodores, who entered play averaging over 80 points per game, only had 12 points midway through the period. Wofford also forced six early turnovers and were outrebounding a taller Vanderbilt team. Collins tied the game at 12 with a 3-point basket at the 9:41 mark.
 
A scoring drought followed and Vanderbilt took advantage. The Terriers only able to come up with three points over a span of 6:30 and were held scoreless for a stretch of 3:44. Vanderbilt used an 11-0 run to go on top 23-12. Jones had 14 points at half to have the home side leading by 16.
 
Wofford rallied out of the locker room, hitting its first four shots of the second half to get within 10. Gordon knocked down his second 3-point attempt of the game and closed a 7-0 run with another basket on the next possession. It brought the score to 38-28 with 17:41 remaining.
 
The Terriers stay in the state of Tennessee to take on Austin Peay. The game gets underway Tuesday night at 7 p.m., Central, 8 p.m., Eastern, in Clarksville.