Commodores on target in 102-62 exhibition win vs. Gold Rush

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Jeffery Taylor scored 17 points in 16 minutes, and seventh-ranked Vanderbilt shot exceptionally well to start both halves Monday in a 102-62 men's basketball exhibition victory against Xavier University of Louisiana.

Taylor, a second-team All-SEC guard/forward the past two seasons, scored 13 first-half points and finished 7-of-9 from the floor and 2-of-2 from the line with four rebounds and three assists.

Vanderbilt made 8-of-9 from the floor to start the game and 9-of-10 to start the second half. The Commodores led 58-32 at halftime, and they took their biggest lead, 87-43, on Kedren Johnson's two free throws with 10:16 remaining.

Johnson scored 16 points, John Jenkins 15 and Shelby Moats 15 for the Commodores, who will open their season at 9 p.m. Friday at home against Oregon. Thirteen of 14 Commodores scored, and none played more than 19 minutes.

Anthony Simmons and Wanto Joseph scored 11 points apiece for Xavier, ranked 21st in NAIA Division I, and Renard Smith scored nine, including two 3-pointers. Gil Mathieu, a sophomore walk-on playing for the first time this season, led the Gold Rush with five rebounds, all offensive.

Vanderbilt outshot Xavier 63.2 to 29.4 percent from the floor. The Commodores outrebounded the Gold Rush 41-20 and had a 12-4 advantage in made 3-pointers. Xavier was better at the line, however, making 28-of-35 free throws to Vanderbilt's 18-of-25. Joseph and Nick Haywood both made 6-fo-6 free throws for the Rush. Xavier committed 11 turnovers and gained 13.

XU junior Denzell Erves, announced earlier Monday as Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week, had eight points, four rebounds and two steals in a team-high 32 minutes.

It was the first time the Gold Rush allowed 100 points since a 103-53 exhibition loss at Texas on Nov. 6, 2006. Xavier has not allowed 100 points in the regular season since 1992-93.

The exhibition loss was Xavier's second on the road in three nights against an NCAA Division I opponent. The XU men will resume their regular-season schedule at 6 p.m. Friday against St. Thomas (Fla.) at The Barn.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS