Junior Matt Freije nailed a 18 foot fade-a-way jumper at the buzzer to give the Harlem Globetrotters their first defeat of the season and second in two years as the Commodores won 70-68 Monday night at Memorial Gym. Junior Matt Freije led the 'Dores with 24 points and 7 rebounds on 8-16 shooting.

Although the Commodores led virtually the entire game, the Globetrotters showed their veteran poise as they mounted a comeback as they trailed 66-59 with only 3:49 to play. The Globetrotters cut the lead to 68-66 with 1:30 left, and later tied the game with only :14 remaining before Matt Freije's heroics.

With a student crowd in excess of 2,000, the fans at Memorial Gym were treated to en electrifying evening of basketball. Sophomore Jason Holwerda set the tone early when he vaulted over former Razorback Brandon Dean in a dunk attempt that he unfortunately failed to convert. With the crowd good and juiced, sophomore Martin Schnedlitz took the ball right at former Tennessee Tech star Lorenzo Coleman and scored over the 7-1 giant. Again Memorial Gym was energized when junior Matt Freije took his man off the dribble and reverse dunked with 3:38 remaining in the first half.

The most impressive aspect of the Commodore victory was the tenacity with which they played defense. Junior point guard Russell Lakey gave every guard the Globetrotters threw at him fits as he recorded one steal and drew three charges. Down the stretch, it was sophomore forward Brian Thornton who snatched three critical rebounds among the likes of NBA veterans Olden Polynice and Todd Day.

Three young Commodores saw their first action Monday night. Point guard Mario Moore, guard Adam Payton, and forward Julian Terrell contributed significantly on the offensive and defensive end.

The most frightening play of the game came in the second half when Freije spotted up for a three and Louisville alum Alex Sanders took Matt out on the shot and sent the forward sprawling to the ground. Matt got right back up and shook off the injury.

Vanderbilt returns to action Friday night at 7 pm as the Commodores host Upstate New York in the final exhibition game of the year.