Penn falls to Vanderbilt

NASHVILLE - James Siakam scored 17 points in his first start of the season, leading Vanderbilt to a 79-50 win over Penn on Monday night.

Siakam was elevated to a starting role after playing well as an energizer off the bench in the last 10 games. He started 28 games last year, but came off the bench after missing the season opener to attend his father's funeral in Cameroon.

Siakam scored the Commodores' first six points and finished 7 of 8 from the floor and 3 of 4 from the foul line.

Wade Baldwin IV scored 16 for Vanderbilt (8-3), including two three-pointers. Damian Jones entered the game as the SEC's fifth-leading scorer and added 15 points and six rebounds.

Tony Hicks led Penn (3-6) with 16 points and Matt Howard added 11.

Vanderbilt outrebounded Penn by 39-24, including a 29-14 edge on the defensive glass.