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Hogs Pick Up Critical Win Over Vandy; Keep Tourney Hopes Alive

Razorbacks dominate Commodores in second half to make massive leap towards March
Daniel Shi|
Arkansas Razorbacks forward Trevon Brazile (4) dunks the ball against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Memorial Gymnasium.
Arkansas Razorbacks forward Trevon Brazile (4) dunks the ball against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Memorial Gymnasium. | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

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Arkansas RazorbacksVanderbilt Commodores

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Arkansas dominated the final 30 minutes against Vanderbilt to pick up its seventh SEC win, 90-77, and take a big step towards the NCAA Tournament.

"We had to win one of these two," coach John Calipari said. "We won this one."

Trevon Brazile had his best game as a Razorback under Calipari with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Brazile, along with the rest of the Arkansas frontcourt, took advantage of a smaller Vanderbilt team.

"We know they don’t got nobody over 6-8," Brazile said postgame on the SEC Network. "We got a lot of length on the team, taller guys, so leading up to the game, that was a big emphasis for us."

It was only fitting that he hit the dagger three with 90 seconds left.

Arkansas closed the first half strong on a 13-2 run, turning a five point deficit into a 43-37 halftime lead and never looked back.

Vanderbilt missed 15 of its last 16 shots from the field in the first half and limped into the locker room with a 29% team field goal percentage. The Commodores were just 1-for-13 on layups in the first 20 minutes.

Guard Johnell Davis led the Hogs, scoring 15 of his 21 points in the first half.

Brazile's length and skill from the inside and outside gave the Commodores fits, including a trio of highlight dunks.

"I’m happy for Trevon," Calipari said. "It’s been an up-and-down road, but I keep telling him ‘you got stuff that a normal guy doesn’t have. Now bring it.’"

Arkansas continued its domination after halftime. The Hogs stretched the lead to as many as 17. Five of the seven rotation players scored double figures.

Vanderbilt briefly cut the lead to single digits thanks to four straight free throws after a technical foul was assessed to Calipari, but Vanderbilt never got closer than nine.

The Hogs conclude its regular season against No. 25 Mississippi State at home. Tipoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. and will be broadcast on SEC Network.

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• Razorbacks' chance to dance tied to status of Thiero's knee

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Daniel Shi
DANIEL SHI

Covers baseball, football and basketball for Arkansas Razorback on SI since 2023, previously writing for FanSided. Currently a student at the University of Arkansas. He’s been repeatedly jaded by the Los Angeles Angels since 2014. Probably silently humming along to whatever the band is playing in the press box. Follow me on X: @dsh12

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