FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) Jonathon Modica scored 19 points, and Arkansas pulled away late in the second half for a 78-66 win over Vanderbilt on Saturday.<br>
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The Commodores (11-3, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) trailed by 11 at halftime, but rallied to tie it at 55 with just over 7 minutes remaining, on Derrick Byars' 3-pointer. Arkansas answered with an 11-2 run.<br>
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Darian Townes made two free throws, a dunk and a shot from the low post, putting the Razorbacks ahead 61-57. Modica's 3-point play with 4:31 remaining made it 64-57, and Modica added a transition layup on Arkansas' next possession to push the lead to nine.<br>
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Vanderbilt was seeking its first 3-0 SEC start since 1990. The Commodores beat Kentucky 57-52 Tuesday night, their first victory over the Wildcats in Lexington since 1974. Vanderbilt hasn't won at Arkansas since 1996.<br>
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Shan Foster scored 22 points for Vanderbilt, 17 in the second half. Byars had 17 points and six assists.<br>
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Reserve Charles Thomas scored 15 points for the Razorbacks, and Ronnie Brewer added nine points and 11 rebounds. Arkansas (12-4, 1-2) outrebounded Vanderbilt 39-20.<br>
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Arkansas blew a 12-point first-half lead in Wednesday night's 63-58 loss to LSU. This time, the Razorbacks led 34-23 after an inspired first half in which they held Vanderbilt to 9-of-24 shooting.<br>
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The Commodores rallied behind their 3-point shooting. After holding LSU without a 3-pointer, Arkansas allowed Vanderbilt to shoot 11-of-22 from long distance. The Commodores are one of three teams (UNLV and Princeton) to make a 3-pointer in every game since the rule was enacted for the 1986-87 season.<br>
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Arkansas shot 24-of-32 from the free throw line, enjoying a significant advantage over Vanderbilt, which finished 11-of-13.<br>
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(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
