Heartbreak at Memorial. That’s basically the only way to describe what went down yesterday in Nashville. If you were looking for what's the score of the Vanderbilt game, the final tally ended up being Florida 98, Vanderbilt 94.
It was a total gut-punch for the home crowd. Honestly, the atmosphere was electric, but the No. 10 Commodores just couldn't seal the deal against a relentless Florida squad.
How the score of the Vanderbilt game slipped away
Vanderbilt entered this matchup with a pristine 16-2 record, but they were coming off a tough loss to Texas. Everyone expected a bounce-back. For a while, it looked like they might get it. Jalen Washington hit a putback at the buzzer to send Vandy into the locker room with a 45-44 lead at half. The gym was shaking.
But then the second half happened.
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Florida’s Rueben Chinyelu turned into a mountain. He finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, doing most of that damage when it mattered most. Vanderbilt led 94-92 with about a minute left. You could feel the tension. Then, Xaivian Lee—who, let’s be real, isn't exactly a deadeye from deep—stepped back and buried a three-pointer with 44 seconds on the clock.
That shot changed everything. Vandy had chances to tie or take it back, but Tyler Tanner missed a jumper in the final seconds, and Alex Condon iced it at the free-throw line.
The numbers that tell the story
Sometimes a score doesn't show the real "why." If you look at the box score, you'll see a glaring problem for Vanderbilt.
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- Rebounding: Florida absolutely mauled Vandy on the glass, 40 to 26.
- Second Chance Points: The Gators turned 13 offensive boards into 22 points. Vanderbilt only had 8.
- Shooting: Both teams were hot. Florida shot 52%, and Vandy was right there at 51%.
Mark Byington’s squad is fast and skilled, but they’re small. Without Frankie Collins (who’s out with a meniscus tear), they’re missing some of that veteran grit. Byington admitted as much after the game, noting that Jalen Washington played his heart out, but the team simply struggled against Florida's physicality.
Is this a trend or a fluke?
Losing two in a row after a 16-game win streak is scary for fans. Is the "magic" gone? Maybe not. They’re still ranked in the top 10 for a reason. Tyler Tanner and Duke Miles are a dangerous backcourt duo, both dropping double digits again yesterday.
The real test comes next. The SEC is a gauntlet this year. If you can't rebound, you can't survive. Every team they face from here on out—Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi State—is going to look at that 40-26 rebounding stat and try to replicate it.
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What about the Vanderbilt women's team?
While the men are hitting a bit of a skid, Shea Ralph’s crew is on a historic tear. The No. 5-ranked women’s team is currently 18-0. They just beat Mississippi State 89-84 on the road.
If you are tracking the score of the Vanderbilt game for the women, they are back in action on Monday, January 19, against Michigan. That game is happening in Newark at the Prudential Center. It’s a huge opportunity for them to keep that perfect record intact on a national stage (FOX is broadcasting it).
Upcoming Vanderbilt schedule (January 2026)
If you're planning your week around the Dores, here is what is on the horizon:
- Women’s Basketball vs. Michigan: Monday, Jan 19 at 1:30 PM (Neutral site: Newark, NJ).
- Men’s Basketball at Arkansas: Tuesday, Jan 20 at 8:00 PM (Away).
- Women’s Basketball vs. Auburn: Thursday, Jan 22 at 6:30 PM (Home).
- Men’s Basketball at Mississippi State: Saturday, Jan 24 at 5:00 PM (Away).
Your next steps for following the Dores
To stay on top of the action and ensure you don't miss the next score of the Vanderbilt game, you should take a few specific actions.
First, check the health status of Frankie Collins. His return is the single biggest factor in whether the men's team can fix their defensive rotations. Second, if you're a local fan, grab tickets for the Auburn game on Thursday. Memorial Gym needs that "Memorial Magic" more than ever right now to help the women stay undefeated and the men get back on track. Finally, keep an eye on the rebounding margin in the first ten minutes of the Arkansas game; that’ll tell you everything you need to know about whether Byington has adjusted his strategy.