No. 25 Vanderbilt 66, Kentucky 49

2/14/2008 9:11 PM

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -Christina Wirth scored 20 points to lead No. 25 Vanderbilt to a 66-49 victory over Kentucky on Thursday night.

The victory moved the Commodores two games in front of the Wildcats for third place in the Southeastern Conference.

A 14-0 run to open the second half gave Vanderbilt (19-6 overall, 8-2 SEC), a lead it would not relinquish. Kentucky (12-12, 6-4) led 25-19 at halftime.

Chelsea Chowning led Kentucky with 14 points. The Wildcats shot 32 percent from the field in the second half.

A 9-0 run to close the first half gave Kentucky its halftime advantage before Vanderbilt rallied. Wirth and Merideth Marsh made 3-pointers in the early second-half flurry.

The Wildcats tied the game at 33 on a 3-pointer by Chelsea with 12:05 remaining.

The Commodores went ahead for good with an 8-0 run, pushing the lead to 41-33 with 9:45 left. Vanderbilt shot 53.3 percent in the second half.

Jennifer Risper added 15 points and eight rebounds for Vanderbilt.