their best ever start, bettering a 12–0 start in 2003–04. After trading baskets for much of the first half, the Commodores built a 5-point lead at halftime. Unlike their previous game, the Commodores went on a 26–5 run to start the second half, putting the game out of reach and allowing the walk-on players to get some playing time. Vanderbilt continued to display a lax defense, but more than made up for it by shooting 56% from the floor and 55% from beyond the arc. Vanderbilt had four players in double figures, led by A.J. Ogilvy (who again just missed a double-double with 20 points and 9 rebounds) and Shan Foster (20 points). Game 14. No. 15 Vanderbilt (14–0) (AP and Coaches polls) put together a solid effort in beating Rice (3–9) 76–58 on January 3, 2008. The Commodores used a stifling defense to take control of the game from the onset, forcing a season-high 24 turnovers. Shan Foster netted 24 points, while A.J. Ogilvy added 14 points and 9 rebounds and Alex Gordon had 11 points. Game 15. No. 15 Vanderbilt (15–0) (AP and Coaches polls) overcame deficits of 9 and 14 points to beat Massachusetts (11–3) 97–88 on January 5, 2008, tying a season high for points scored. Vandy was led by senior guard Shan Foster, who scored 32 points and hit 8 3-pointers, and freshman center A.J. Ogilvy, who notched a double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore point guard Jermaine Beal added a career-high 15 points for the Commodores. Ricky Harris led the Minutemen with 25 points. Game 16. No. 13 Vanderbilt (16–0, 1–0) (AP, No. 12 Coaches polls) won its SEC opener by beating South Carolina (8–7, 0–1) by a score of 80–73 on January 9, 2008. Vanderbilt was led by freshman sensation A.J. Ogilvy with 25 points, while seniors Alex Gordon and Shan Foster had 13 points apiece. The Gamecocks were led by Devan Downey, who had 22 points. After hitting a 3-pointer in the game, Shan Foster became the Commodores' all-time leading 3-point shooter. Game 17. No. 13 Vanderbilt (16–1, 1–1) (AP, No. 12 Coaches poll) lost its first game of the season, 79–73 in double-overtime to Kentucky (7–7, 1–0) at Rupp Arena. The loss snapped the Commodores' 4-game winning streak against the Wildcats. Vanderbilt entered the game as one of five remaining unbeaten teams in men's Division I basketball. Kentucky controlled