Playing 30 miles from his hometown, High Point sophomore Joe Knight poured in a career-high 40 points, helping the Panthers take SEC-power Vanderbilt to the wire before falling 81-75 Sunday night in Nashvillle.

Knight's 40 points are the most for any High Point player since the Panthers made the jump to NCAA competition. He made 7-of-11 three-point shots and was 14-of-22 from the field overall.

According to Vanderbilt records, Knight (who is from Columbia, Tenn.) joins a list of five players in the 51-year history of storied Memorial Gym to reach the 40-point plateau. The list includes the likes of LSU's Pete Maravich and Kentucky's Louie Dampier.

Vanderbilt (6-2) led by as many as 10 points before Knight cut the lead to five at 35-30 with a long-range three as the clock ticked down to end the first half. Knight scored 20 points in each period.

The Commodores put together a 13-2 run to open the second half, and led 48-32 with 15:58 to go after five straight points by Brian Thornton, who led VU with 22 points.

But a 10-2 run by the Panthers pulled High Point within 52-49 on a layup by Kashawn Hampton. HPU got within two at 59-57 on a Knight trey with 7:36 to play.

Seven straight points for the Dores gave the hosts some breathing room, but Knight brought HPU within five at 75-70 with 54 seconds left with another of his seven threes.

But Matt Freije hit a pair of free throws and Corey Smith made a nifty move to the hoop to put things away.

Smith had 19 points and Freije 14 for VU, while Dustin Van Weerdhuizen scored all 11 of his points in the second half for High Point.

The Panthers continue a monster road trip with an 8:15 tip-off Tuesday night against Campbell in Buies Creek, and hop a flight west for a Saturday date with Washington State in Spokane.