Samford Bulldogs Triumph Over East Tennessee State in OT
Saturday, February 14, 2026, 12:00 PM ET · Freedom Hall (TN)
Samford Bulldogs 82, East Tennessee State Buccaneers 72, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
The next free pick, for your email
Team, bet, price and the hash it was sealed under, on this page the moment you send. Lose or win, it stays public.
or by email
Public record of the main pick, losses included: 115 won, 44 lost. See every pick
One free pick a day by email until you unsubscribe, in one click. 21+.
Quick answers
Who won Samford Bulldogs vs East Tennessee State Buccaneers?
Samford Bulldogs beat East Tennessee State Buccaneers 82-72 at Freedom Hall (TN) on February 14, 2026.
Who was favored in Samford Bulldogs vs East Tennessee State Buccaneers?
East Tennessee State Buccaneers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -310 (about 76% implied). The underdog won.
In a thrilling overtime contest, the Samford Bulldogs defeated the East Tennessee State Buccaneers 82-72 at Freedom Hall in Tennessee. This victory marks Samford's fourth consecutive win, showcasing their resilience and ability to perform under pressure. The Bulldogs improved their overall record to 15-12, while the Buccaneers fell to 19-8.
Both teams entered the game with strong recent performances. East Tennessee State had an impressive record of 8-2 over their last ten games, boasting a scoring average of 79.0 points per game while allowing 69.2. They had been on a four-game winning streak, which included a recent victory against the Chattanooga Mocs, where they won 73-61. At home, ETSU had a record of 4-1 in their last five games, averaging 81.8 points scored and 72.8 allowed.
On the other hand, Samford also came into the game with momentum, winning four of their last five games. Their recent form included a significant win against the Wofford Terriers, where they scored 97 points. Overall, Samford averaged 78.5 points scored and allowed 73.8 points in their last ten games. However, their away record was less impressive, with only one win in their last four away games.
In their previous meetings, East Tennessee State had dominated Samford, winning all three encounters in the past two seasons. The most recent matchup before this game was on January 17, 2026, where ETSU narrowly won 76-75. This history added an extra layer of intrigue to the fixture, as Samford aimed to break the losing streak against their rivals.
In terms of player availability, the block did not specify any injuries affecting either team, allowing both squads to field their best lineups. This was crucial for both teams, particularly for Samford, who needed to rely on their key players to maintain their winning streak.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had East Tennessee State favored by 7.5 points, with a total set at 145.5. The odds indicated that the Buccaneers were expected to perform well at home, but the outcome of the game proved otherwise.
The game conditions were typical for a mid-February matchup in Tennessee, with both teams competing under the bright lights of Freedom Hall. Fans witnessed a closely contested game that required an extra period to determine the winner.
In overtime, Samford pulled away decisively, with Cade Norris contributing significantly by making multiple free throws. Zion Wilburn's three-point jumper and a dunk from Dylan Faulkner further extended their lead, ultimately sealing the game at 82-72. The Bulldogs’ ability to capitalize on their scoring opportunities in the extra period was a defining factor in their victory.
Overall, this game highlighted the competitive nature of NCAAB, with Samford's victory serving as a reminder of their potential as they continue their season. Fans can look forward to seeing how both teams respond in their upcoming fixtures.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | ETSU -7.5 | 145.5 o -110 / u -110 | Samford Bulldogs +250 · East Tennessee State Buccaneers -310 |
Leaders
- PointsBrian Taylor II28East Tennessee State Buccaneers
- AssistsCam Morris III3East Tennessee State Buccaneers
- ReboundsCam Morris III8East Tennessee State Buccaneers
- PointsDylan Faulkner24Samford Bulldogs
- AssistsKeaton Norris6Samford Bulldogs
- ReboundsKeaton Norris12Samford Bulldogs
Recent form
East Tennessee State Buccaneers
Last 10: 8-2Streak W479 scored · 69.2 allowed per game4-1 at home
- W73-61vs Chattanooga MocsFeb 12
- W87-70at VMI KeydetsFeb 7
- W75-71vs Furman PaladinsFeb 5
- W86-72at Wofford TerriersFeb 2
- L88-90vs Western Carolina CatamountsJan 30
- W84-55vs The Citadel BulldogsJan 24
- W67-66at Chattanooga MocsJan 22
- W76-75at Samford BulldogsJan 17
- L68-72at Western Carolina CatamountsJan 14
- W86-60vs UNC Greensboro SpartansJan 10
Samford Bulldogs
Last 10: 5-5Streak W478.5 scored · 73.8 allowed per game1-3 away
- W97-80vs Wofford TerriersFeb 12
- W69-49vs Mercer BearsFeb 7
- W78-64vs The Citadel BulldogsFeb 6
- W88-74at Western Carolina CatamountsFeb 1
- L73-78at Furman PaladinsJan 29
- W75-64vs Chattanooga MocsJan 24
- L78-88at Wofford TerriersJan 21
- L75-76vs East Tennessee State BuccaneersJan 17
- L73-77vs Furman PaladinsJan 15
- L79-88at Chattanooga MocsJan 10
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Tennessee State | 23-11 | - | 13-5 |
| Mercer | 19-13 | 2 | 11-7 |
| Wofford | 19-13 | 2 | 11-7 |
| Samford | 18-14 | 2 | 11-7 |
| Furman | 22-13 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Western Carolina | 15-16 | 3 | 10-8 |
| UNC Greensboro | 15-19 | 4 | 9-9 |
| Chattanooga | 13-19 | 6 | 7-11 |
| The Citadel | 11-22 | 6 | 7-11 |
| VMI | 6-26 | 12 | 1-17 |
Box score
| Stat | Samford Bulldogs | East Tennessee State Buccaneers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 22-53 | 25-61 |
| Field goal % | 42 | 41 |
| Three-pointers | 7-24 | 5-20 |
| Three-point % | 29 | 25 |
| Free throws | 31-40 | 17-22 |
| Free throw % | 77 | 77 |
| Rebounds | 38 | 34 |
| Offensive rebounds | 7 | 8 |
| Defensive rebounds | 31 | 26 |
| Assists | 15 | 15 |
| Steals | 7 | 7 |
| Blocks | 3 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 12 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 16 | 9 |
| Fast-break points | 21 | 10 |
| Points in the paint | 26 | 34 |
| Fouls | 14 | 27 |
| Largest lead | 13 | 3 |
| Lead changes | 13 | 13 |
| Time in front | 58 | 22 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half52-51Dylan Faulkner makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half53-51Dylan Faulkner makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half53-53Blake Barkley makes layup (Cam Morris III assists)
- 2nd Half53-54Blake Barkley makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half54-54Cade Norris makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-55Cam Morris III makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-56Cam Morris III makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-56Keaton Norris makes 18-foot jumper
- 2nd Half56-58Cam Morris III makes 9-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half57-58Will Shaver makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-58Jadin Booth makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-58Jadin Booth makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-60Brian Taylor II makes driving layup (Jaylen Smith assists)
- 2nd Half60-60Jadin Booth makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-60Jadin Booth makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half61-62Blake Barkley makes 5-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half61-63Cam Morris III makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-64Cam Morris III makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-64Zion Wilburn makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-64Zion Wilburn makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half63-65Cam Morris III makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-66Cam Morris III makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-66Keaton Norris makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-66Keaton Norris makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half65-67Blake Barkley makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-68Jordan McCullum makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-68Jadin Booth makes 30-foot three point jumper (Keaton Norris assists)
- OT69-68Cade Norris makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT70-68Cade Norris makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT71-68Keaton Norris makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT72-68Keaton Norris makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT73-68Cade Norris makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT74-68Cade Norris makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT75-68Cade Norris makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT76-68Cade Norris makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT79-68Zion Wilburn makes 24-foot three point jumper (Keaton Norris assists)
- OT81-68Dylan Faulkner makes 2-foot dunk (Zion Wilburn assists)
- OT81-70Blake Barkley makes 3-foot jumper (Allen Strothers assists)
- OT82-70Zion Wilburn makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT82-72Allen Strothers makes layup
Win probability
Above the line favours East Tennessee State Buccaneers, below favours Samford Bulldogs.
Venue
- Freedom Hall (TN)Johnson City, TN
- Attendance5138
- OfficialsArt Vaulk, Daniel Clark, Bryan Washer
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond
Picks for NCAAB
NCAAB rules and settlement
These two, other days
- Buccaneers Edge Bulldogs in Close ContestJan 17, 2026