Ben Simmons scored 36 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as the LSU Tigers beat Vanderbilt 90-82 Saturday night in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.
Simmons scored 18 in each half, and Keith Hornsby added 23 points as the Tigers (8-5) picked up their fourth victory in five games. Coach Johnny Jones has yet to lose to Vanderbilt, improving to 5-0 even with this the third straight at Memorial Gym.
Craig Victor II added 11 points for the Tigers.
Vanderbilt (8-5) came in leading the SEC in scoring defense, holding opponents to 61.8 points, and third nationally holding opponents to 35.8 percent shooting. With 7-foot-1 junior Luke Kornet still out with a torn MCL, the Commodores struggled to slow down Simmons.
Wade Baldwin IV led five Commodores in double figures with 17 points. Jeff Roberson added 13, Matthew Fisher-Davis 11 and Riley LaChance and Damian Jones each had 12.
