Johnson's 25 lead Vanderbilt past Nicholls St.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Kedren Johnson scored a career-high 25 points to lead Vanderbilt to an 80-65 victory over Nicholls State on Saturday in the season opener for both teams. Johnson scored 15 points in the second half as Vanderbilt pulled away after leading by just six at halftime. After the break, the Commodores shot 66.7 percent and made eight 3-pointers. A 36-14 run over a 13-minute span turned a four-point deficit into a blowout. After ending the first half on a 15-5 spurt, the Commodores stayed hot. They made eight straight baskets, including five 3-pointers, to open the second half. Kevin Bright's 3-pointer in the corner put Vanderbilt up 49-31 with 15:35 left. Bright scored 13 of his career-high 15 points after halftime. Kyle Fuller also finished with a career-high 15 points. Fred Hunter finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Colonels. Sam McBeath added 15 and T.J. Carpenter had 11.