Vanderbilt Edges Kentucky in Tight One-Point Victory

Commodores overcome late Wildcats lead to win 84-83 in Lexington

Feb. 5, 2026 at 10:15pm

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The 7th-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 84-83 in a close game in Lexington. Kentucky led by as many as 9 points in the second half, but Vanderbilt's Mikayla Blakes scored 25 points in the second half to lead a 16-4 run that gave the Commodores the lead. Kentucky's Clara Strack and Teonni Key both recorded double-doubles, but the Wildcats came up just short.

Why it matters

This was an important conference matchup between two top teams in the SEC. The win keeps Vanderbilt in the hunt for a high NCAA Tournament seed, while the loss drops Kentucky to 5-5 in conference play and raises questions about their ability to compete with the league's elite.

The details

Vanderbilt trailed 38-34 at halftime but took control in the second half, led by Mikayla Blakes' 37-point performance. Kentucky extended its lead to 54-45 before Blakes sparked a 16-4 Vanderbilt run to give the Commodores the lead. Kentucky's Clara Strack (14 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists) and Teonni Key (27 points, 12 rebounds) both recorded double-doubles, but the Wildcats couldn't hold on.

  • The game was played on February 6, 2026 in Lexington, Kentucky.

The players

Mikayla Blakes

A standout junior guard for Vanderbilt who scored 37 points, including 25 in the second half, to lead the Commodores' comeback.

Clara Strack

A senior forward for Kentucky who posted a double-double with 14 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists.

Teonni Key

A junior forward for Kentucky who had a career-high 27 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.

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What they’re saying

“Mikayla really put the team on her back in the second half. She's been doing that for us all season and we're glad to get the win, even if it was close.”

— Jerry Stackhouse, Vanderbilt Head Coach

“We had them on the ropes, but just couldn't finish it off. Credit to Vanderbilt for making the plays down the stretch. We'll learn from this and get ready for Texas on Monday.”

— Kyra Elzy, Kentucky Head Coach

What’s next

Kentucky will look to bounce back when they travel to face the 4th-ranked Texas Longhorns on Monday, February 10th.

The takeaway

This was a hard-fought battle between two of the SEC's top teams, showcasing the depth and competitiveness of the conference. Vanderbilt's ability to rally from a late deficit on the road highlights their championship aspirations, while Kentucky's performance shows they can compete with the league's elite when healthy.