Vanderbilt Edges Kentucky in Thrilling 81-79 Contest

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — No. 5 Vanderbilt narrowly defeated No. 16 Kentucky 81-79 on Sunday, February 22, 2026, in a back-and-forth battle at Memorial Gymnasium. A late jump shot by Vanderbilt freshman Aubrey Galvan with seven seconds remaining sealed the victory for the Commodores. Lex18

Blakes Leads Vanderbilt with 35 Points

Vanderbilt guard Mikayla Blakes was the dominant force in the game, scoring a remarkable 35 points. Justine Pissott also contributed with a crucial defensive play late in the game. AP News

Close Contest from Start to Finish

The game was characterized by numerous lead changes and intense competition. Kentucky started strong, building an early 18-8 lead in the first quarter, fueled by three-pointers from Asia Boone and Amelia Hassett. However, Blakes responded with 10 points to close the first quarter, keeping Vanderbilt within striking distance. Lex18

Kentucky Fails to Maintain Momentum

Kentucky briefly extended their lead to 34-28 in the second quarter, thanks to another three-pointer from Hassett, who finished the day with 15 points. However, Vanderbilt consistently answered Kentucky’s scoring runs, with Blakes and Galvan combining for 31 first-half points. Lex18

Galvan’s Game-Winner

The game remained tightly contested throughout the second half, culminating in Galvan’s decisive jump shot with just seven seconds left on the clock. This secured an 81-79 victory for Vanderbilt. Lex18

Previous Matchup

Earlier in the season, on January 27, 2026, Vanderbilt defeated Kentucky with a score of 80-55. In that game, Tyler Tanner and Tyler Nickel each scored 19 points for Vanderbilt. ESPN