Vanderbilt Forward's Clutch 3-Pointer Seals Win Over Auburn

AK Okereke's composure and timely shooting helped Vanderbilt clinch a key road victory.

Feb. 11, 2026 at 12:23am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a close game against Auburn, Vanderbilt forward AK Okereke hit a clutch 3-pointer in the final minutes to seal the Commodores' 85-76 victory. Okereke's calm and composed approach in the high-pressure moment was crucial, as he didn't hesitate to let the shot fly despite missing his previous two attempts. The make served as a dagger that allowed Vanderbilt to hold on for the road win, their second consecutive 20-win season.

Why it matters

Vanderbilt's win over Auburn on the road was an important result that demonstrated the team's resilience and poise in a hostile environment. Okereke's clutch shot highlighted his leadership and ability to make winning plays under pressure, which will be crucial as Vanderbilt aims to make a deep postseason run.

The details

With Vanderbilt leading 72-66 and the shot clock winding down, point guard Tyler Tanner found Okereke open in the corner. Despite missing his previous two 3-point attempts, Okereke confidently rose up and knocked down the shot to extend Vanderbilt's lead to nine points with under two minutes remaining. The make all but sealed the victory for the Commodores, who held on to win 85-76 and clinch their second straight 20-win season.

  • Vanderbilt led Auburn 72-66 with 1:50 remaining in the game when Okereke hit his clutch 3-pointer.

The players

AK Okereke

A Vanderbilt forward who hit the game-sealing 3-pointer in the final minutes to help the Commodores defeat Auburn.

Tyler Tanner

The Vanderbilt point guard who made the pass to Okereke for the clutch 3-pointer.

Elyjah Freeman

The Auburn defender who was guarding Okereke when he hit the 3-pointer.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Okereke for 3, write it down!”

— Kevin Ingram, Vanderbilt play-by-play announcer

“You've just got to be ready to shoot the basketball. That was a huge shot.”

— Tim Thompson, Vanderbilt color commentator

What’s next

Vanderbilt will look to build on this road win as they continue their SEC schedule, with key matchups against ranked opponents on the horizon.

The takeaway

Okereke's composure and timely shooting proved to be the difference-maker in Vanderbilt's hard-fought victory over Auburn. The Commodores' ability to win in a hostile environment demonstrates their growth and potential to make noise in the postseason.