NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - Matt Freije scored 22 points to lead Vanderbilt to a 96-60 victory over Georgia Southern on Tuesday. <br>
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The Commodores (3-0) shot 63 percent from the floor, including 67 percent in the first half. <br>
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Sophomore Brian Thornton scored a career-high 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds, but point guard Russell Lakey was the star for Vanderbilt. He scored 15 points, including four 3-pointers, dished eight assists and had four steals. <br>
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Freshman Julian Terrell scored 10 points off the bench for Vanderbilt. <br>
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Julius Jenkins led Georgia Southern (2-1) with 21 points while Frank Bennett had 14 points and 10 rebounds. <br>
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Vanderbilt rarely missed, except at the free-throw line. The Commodores shot 63 percent from 3-point range but just 48 percent from the free throw line, going 12-for-25. <br>
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Vanderbilt went on a 16-0 run late in the first half to break open a close game. The Commodores stretched a 30-28 lead to 46-28 by hitting 5-of-6 shots while holding the Eagles scoreless for almost six minutes. <br>
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Vanderbilt connected on 10 of its final 11 shots of the half, including 5-for-5 on 3s to take a 57-36 halftime lead. <br>
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Lakey had four 3s in the final six minutes of the half. <br>
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Vanderbilt was never threatened in the second half and its lead never fell below the halftime margin.
