Vandy plays role of spoiler, upsets UK 68-66 on Senior Night at Rupp

WUKY | By Associated Press

Published March 1, 2023 at 9:45 PM EST

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Kentucky's Oscar Tshiebwe, right, hugs Ellen Calipari, wife of head coach John Calipari during senior day ceremonies before an NCAA college basketball game against Vanderbilt in Lexington, Ky., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (AP Photo/James Crisp)

Jordan Wright hit a go-ahead fall-away jumper in the lane with 2.6 seconds remaining to finish with 23 points and Vanderbilt topped No. 23 Kentucky 68-66 for its first win at Rupp Arena since January 2007.

The surging Commodores earned their seventh win in eight games and are 7-3 since losing to Kentucky 69-53 last month in Nashville. They trailed 26-21 late in the first half before leading 34-30 at halftime and 46-35 early in the second half before withstanding Kentucky’s rally for a 66-64 advantage with 1:10 left on Oscar Tshiebwe’s layup. Tshiebwe finished with 21 points and 20 rebounds. Wright answered with a drive from the right wing to tie the game with 42 seconds left. The Wildcats end the regular season Saturday at Arkansas.