Vanderbilt offense revives, beats UTEP 73-49

UTEP's Cedrick Lang drives to the basket against Vanderbilt defenders during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Old Spice Classic in Kissimmee, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Roberto Gonzalez)

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Kedren Johnson scored 17 points and Rod Odom added 16 as Vanderbilt beat Texas El-Paso 73-49 in the consolation round Sunday at the Old Spice Classic.

Kyle Fuller added 14 points for Vanderbilt (2-3). The Commodores, looking to replace their top six scorers from last season's 25-win team, entered averaging 55.8 points a game.

John Bohannon had 11 points for the Miners (1-4), who have lost four in a row. The streak matches their longest skid under coach Tim Floyd.

Both teams lost their previous two games at the classic.

Vanderbilt was coming off a 50-33 loss Friday to Marist. The Commodores were also defeated 75-62 by Davidson. UTEP's losses came against Clemson (69-48) and Oklahoma (68-61).

Johnson's 3-pointer made it 57-36 with 7:30 to play. The guard, who had a career-high 28 points in Thursday's loss to Davidson, was held to four points one day later by Marist.

Vanderbilt opened the second half with a 9-2 run to grab a 42-19 lead. Shelby Moats had a 3 during the stretch.

UTEP narrowed the gap to 49-34 midway through the second on C.J. Cooper's basket.

Odom had eight points in helping Vanderbilt go ahead 33-17 at halftime.

Kevin Bright had two 3-pointers, and Odom and Fuller also hit long-range jumpers during a 19-0 stretch as Vanderbilt took a 28-12 advantage 14 minutes into the game.

UTEP went scoreless for more than eight minutes before Cedrick Lang's basket cut the deficit to 28-14 four minutes before intermission.

Lang finished with 10 points.

Bohannon's 3-point play gave UTEP an early 7-1 lead. Odom made a jumper to conclude an 8-0 run for Vanderbilt that put the Commodores up 9-7.