Nov. 18, 2000

Box Score

Vanderbilt 85, Western Carolina 63

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Sam Howard scored 14 of his team-high 19 points in the second half as Vanderbilt beat Western Carolina 85-63 Saturday night in the America's Youth Classic.

The Commodores (2-0) held a comfortable 41-29 halftime lead but put the Catamounts (0-2) away early in the second half with a 20-5 run over a span of 6:42.

Western Carolina closed within 45-37 with 16:42 to play on Casey Rogers' 3-pointer before the Commodores took control with their decisive run that included six 3-pointers, three each by Howard and Chuck Moore.

Howard hit 5 of 7 field goals attempts in the second half, including 4 of 6 3-pointers in the half. The Commodores shot 56.7 percent (17 of 30) from the floor in the second half and 47.1 percent (8 of 17) from 3-point range.

Greg LaPointe added 16 points for the Commodores. Moore, a transfer from Seton Hall, had 11 points for Vanderbilt.

Western Carolina's Rogers led all scorers with 24 points. Cory Largent added 15.

Vanderbilt trailed early 15-13 with 11:47 to play in the first half, but closed the first half by outscoring Western Carolina 28-14.

The Commodores face St. Joseph's on Sunday in the finale of the America's Youth Classic. Western Carolina faces South Carolina State.