COL BKB: Vanderbilt 77, Auburn 60

AUBURN, Ala., Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Vanderbilt's John Jenkins and Jeffrey Taylor teamed up for 44 points Saturday and the 18th-ranked Commodores handled Auburn 77-60.

Jenkins connected on five 3-pointers en route to 22 points. Taylor contributed 20 and 10 rebounds for the Commodores (20-6, 8-4 SEC), who posted a fifth straight win for the second time this season.

Brad Tinsley scored 16 points for Vanderbilt, which remained a game behind No. 22 Kentucky in the battle for second place in the Southeastern Conference and a first-round bye in the conference playoffs.

Earnest Ross had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Tigers (9-17, 2-10).