Vanderbilt once again let a big lead get away but the Commodores rallied, downing Mississippi 84-74 in Southeastern Conference action on Wednesday night in Nashville, Tenn.

For the third time in four SEC games, the Commodores (13-4, 2-2) squandered a double-digit lead in the second half. Vanderbilt led 59-49 after Brad Tinsley’s 3-pointer with 13:51 to go, but Mississippi State’s Dundrecous Nelson scored eight consecutive points, including back-to-back 3-pointers, to give the Rebels (12-7, 0-4) a 66-65 lead with 6:44 remaining.

The Commodores responded with an 12-2 run to take control. John Jenkins’ 3-pointer put Vanderbilt ahead for keeps 68-66 with 5:39 left, and Lance Goulbourne’s two free throws with 3:00 to go made it 77-68.

Jenkins led Vanderbilt with 20 points, leading five Commodores in double figures. Goulbourne finished with 14 points and a career-high 16 rebounds.

Vanderbilt opened the game with a 9-2 spurt, but the Rebels whittled away at the lead, tying the game at 21-21 on Zach Graham’s dunk with 9:50 left before halftime.

The Rebels led 42-39 at halftime, but the Commodores scored the first eight points of the second half, taking a 47-42 lead on Jeffery Taylor’s dunk with 17:30 remaining.

Nelson and Chris Warren each scored 17 points for Mississippi, which lost its fourth in a row.

Vanderbilt plays host to No. 21 St. Mary’s on Saturday. Mississippi plays Saturday at LSU.