Vanderbilt ends Kentucky spell with 86-73 victory

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Reserve Brendan Plavich scored all but two of his 20 points on 3-pointers and Vanderbilt beat No. 11 Kentucky 86-73 Wednesday night to snap an 18-game losing streak to the Wildcats.

Kentucky (19-8, 9-6 Southeastern Conference) is the only visiting team with a winning record in Memorial Gym. Vanderbilt (16-12, 6-9) had not beaten Kentucky since 1993, a stretch of eight straight home losses.

The Wildcats came in ready to clinch their 12th consecutive 20-win season and keep alive their chances for at least a share of the SEC's Eastern Division title.

But the Commodores, a team that had struggled to score in recent games, suddenly couldn't miss as they scored more points than in any of their past eight games. They shot 53 percent (30-of-56) from the field, including 11-of-22 from 3-point range, while the Wildcats shot 35 percent (22-of-62).

Matt Freije and Chuck Moore each had 19 points for Vanderbilt, while freshman Brian Thornton added 17.

Tayshaun Prince led Kentucky with 24 points, while Rashaad Carruth added 22.

The Wildcats last led at 11-9 on a basket by Cliff Hawkins with 14:55 to go in the first half. Freije grabbed a rebound and scored to tie the game at 11, and Corey Smith hit a 3-pointer that gave Vandy a lead it would never lose.