Kentucky’s second loss in as many games to Vanderbilt likely cost the Wildcats a fourth or fifth seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament next week.
The Wildcats, now 21-11, saw a 10-point lead slip away as the Commodores came from behind to knock UK, 80-73, in the SEC tournament quarterfinals on Friday night.
The loss snapped a seven-game winning streak in the quarterfinals.
Antonio Reeves paced the Wildcats will 22 points. Jacob Toppin had 21 points and 11 rebounds while Oscar Tshiebwe finished with 19 points and 15 boards.
The Wildcats will find out when and where they play during Selection Sunday.
At Nashville
(SEC tournament quarterfinals)
SCORE BY HALVES:
VN (20-13)….39 41 – 80
UK (21-11)….34 39 – 73
Scoring:
Vanderbilt (80) – Colin Smith 0 4-4 4; Quentin Millora-Brown 1 2-2 4; Tyrin Lawrence5(2) 2-2 18; Jordan Wright 3(3) 3-4 18; Ezra Manjon 6(2) 7-8 25; Trey Thomas 0(1) 0-0 3; and Paul Lewis 1(2) 0-0 8. Totals: 16(10) 18-20 80.
Kentucky (73) – Jacob Toppin 6(2) 3-6 21; Chris Livingston 2 0-0 4; Oscar Tshiebwe 7 5-8 19;Antonio Reeves 5(3) 3-6 22; and Cason Wallace 2(1) 0-0 7. Totals: 22(6) 11-20 73.
Next up: Kentucky (21-11) vs. TBA, NCAA tournament.