NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Freshman Aaron Nesmith enjoyed career highs of 20 points and 13 rebounds, and Vanderbilt played its first full game without star point guard Darius Garland in a 120-85 rout of Savannah State on Tuesday night.
It was the most points scored by the Commodores (5-1) since scoring a school-record 130 against Ole Miss in 1970.
Garland, a freshman who was averaging 16.2 points per game, suffered a season-ending knee injury in Friday's loss to Kent State.
Projected as a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA draft, Garland underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee Monday.
Garland and Simi Shittu formed the heart of Vanderbilt's best recruiting class in school history. Both players were five-star prospects and McDonald's All-Americans last season in high school.
Forward Clevon Brown, a 6-foot-8 junior who blocked four shots, moved into the starting five as the Commodores reshuffled with a bigger lineup. Saben Lee switched from shooting guard to point guard.
Shittu, a freshman who will be relied on more, scored 17 points and had five assists.
Yanni Wetzell, a 6-10 transfer from Division II St. Mary's (Texas) transfer, added 15 points off the bench.
Eight Commodores broke into double figures, including Maxwell Evans with 16 points, Toye with 13, Lee and Matt Ryan with 11 each and Matthew Moyer with 10. Vanderbilt shot 63 percent from the floor.
Savannah State (3-6), transitioning from Division I to II after the season, got outplayed in nearly every phase of the game.
Vanderbilt outscored Savannah State 53-31 in points in the paint and 23-9 in fast-break points. The Commodores outscored the Tigers 21-9 at the foul line and 27-16 in points off turnovers.
Freshman reserve Collins Joseph led four Tigers in double figures with 21 points and he added five assists, while Jaquan Dotson scored 17.
The Commodores started quickly, shooting 62 percent from the floor in the first half to take a 65-37 lead at the break.
Savannah State doesn't play its next home game until Jan. 19. The Tigers' 10-game road swing includes December stops against two ranked teams in the Big 10: No. 22 Wisconsin and No. 14 Iowa.
BIG PICTURE
Savannah State: The Tigers lost their fourth in five games as they were outmanned at nearly every position.
Vanderbilt: Life Without Darius began with a lopsided win as the Commodores reshuffled their lineup.
UP NEXT
Savannah State: Visits Gardner-Webb on Saturday in the third of 10 straight road games.
Vanderbilt: Visits North Carolina State on Saturday in its second road game of the season.
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