AJ Hoggard truly made his mark in the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic. On Thursday night, his 18 points and seven assists were crucial as Vanderbilt men’s basketball emerged victorious with a 73 - 71 win over Nevada. This victory propelled Vanderbilt into the semifinals.

Vanderbilt's Basketball Triumph: Hoggard's Heroics in Charleston

Vanderbilt's Offensive Prowess

AJ Hoggard was one of the key contributors on the offensive end. He scored 18 points and added seven assists, guiding Vanderbilt to victory. Jason Edwards also played a significant role, adding 16 points with three steals and a pair of assists. MJ Collins, Jr., had a season-best 15 points, providing a spark during a crucial 20 - 4 run. Both Devin McGlockton and Jaylen Carey finished with nine points and eight rebounds each, adding to the team's overall offensive output. Vanderbilt shot 47.5 percent from the field and hit 6 - of - 15 threes on the night, showing their offensive efficiency.During the game, Vanderbilt faced a tough challenge as Nevada raced out to a 16 - 6 lead. However, the Commodores quickly found their footing and launched a remarkable 20 - 4 run over the next 5:30. Collins was the driving force during this stretch, scoring 11 of his 15 points. This run gave Vanderbilt a 26 - 20 advantage and set the tone for the rest of the game.

Nevada's Fight and Vanderbilt's Resilience

Nevada (4 - 1) came out strong with a 16 - 6 lead, but Vanderbilt (5 - 0) didn't back down. The Wolf Pack led 43 - 41 with 17 minutes to play, but Vanderbilt responded with a 12 - 0 run to take control. Just when it seemed Vanderbilt was in the driver's seat, an extended stoppage to fix the scoreboard disrupted their momentum. Nevada chipped away at the Vandy lead and closed within 67 - 66 with 2:06 to play. However, Vanderbilt showed their resilience and produced one last stop on the defensive end to seal the 73 - 71 victory.Nevada shot 53.7 percent from the field and was 6 - of - 15 from three, showing their offensive firepower. They were led by Tyler Rollison and Kobe Sanders with 13 points apiece. Vanderbilt, on the other hand, forced 16 Nevada turnovers while notching 10 steals, demonstrating their defensive intensity.In the end, Vanderbilt's performance in various aspects of the game was outstanding. They advanced to the semifinals where they will face Seton Hall in a 5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT tipoff on ESPN2. This is a significant achievement for the team and a testament to their hard work and determination.