NCAAB · Final

Samford Edges Citadel in Close Contest

Thursday, February 19, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · McAlister Field House

Samford Bulldogs 78, The Citadel Bulldogs 75, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Samford Bulldogs vs The Citadel Bulldogs?

Samford Bulldogs beat The Citadel Bulldogs 78-75 at McAlister Field House on February 19, 2026.

Who was favored in Samford Bulldogs vs The Citadel Bulldogs?

Samford Bulldogs were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -600 (about 86% implied). The favorite won.

In a closely contested matchup, the Samford Bulldogs triumphed over the Citadel Bulldogs with a final score of 78-75 at McAlister Field House. This victory marks Samford's fourth consecutive win, further solidifying their strong performance in the latter part of the season. The away team has demonstrated impressive form recently, boasting a record of 6-4 over their last ten games, with an average of 78.8 points scored and 72.2 points allowed. In contrast, the Citadel Bulldogs have struggled, recording a 5-5 record in their last ten games, with an average of 67.6 points scored and 72.4 points allowed. They are currently on a two-game losing streak.

The matchup was significant as it featured two teams with contrasting records; Samford entered the game with a season record of 16-12, while Citadel held a record of 9-19. The odds from DraftKings reflected this disparity, with Samford favored by a spread of 10.5 points, and a total set at 143.5 points. The moneyline odds were heavily in favor of Samford at -600, while Citadel's moneyline was set at 440.

Historically, the Citadel has struggled against Samford, losing all three previous meetings this season and last. In their most recent encounter on February 6, 2026, Citadel fell 64-78, and earlier that season, they lost 58-83 and 56-86 in their previous two matchups.

In terms of home versus away performance, Citadel has a home record of 3-1 in their last five games, but their overall performance has been inconsistent, particularly against stronger opponents. Samford, meanwhile, has a solid away record of 2-2, but their recent form has seen them excel, averaging 82.8 points and allowing 67.8 points in their last five games.

Injuries did not appear to be a significant factor for either team in this matchup, allowing both squads to field their key players. The game was played under standard conditions, with both teams keen on showcasing their skills in front of the home crowd.

Viewers witnessed a thrilling finish as both teams exchanged leads in the closing moments. Key plays included Zion Wilburn's free throws that helped Samford maintain their narrow lead, and a crucial three-point jumper by Braxton Williams that kept Citadel within striking distance. Ultimately, Samford's ability to make free throws in the final minutes proved decisive, as they secured the victory despite Citadel's late-game efforts.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	SAM -10.5	143.5 o -108 / u -112	Samford Bulldogs -600 · The Citadel Bulldogs +440

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsBraxton Williams22The Citadel Bulldogs
AssistsMarcos Gonzales4The Citadel Bulldogs
ReboundsSola Adebisi9The Citadel Bulldogs
PointsCade Norris19Samford Bulldogs
AssistsKeaton Norris6Samford Bulldogs
ReboundsDylan Faulkner10Samford Bulldogs

Recent form

The Citadel Bulldogs

Last 10: 5-5Streak L267.6 scored · 72.4 allowed per game3-1 at home

L54-70vs Mercer BearsFeb 14
L49-87at Western Carolina CatamountsFeb 11
W78-71at Chattanooga MocsFeb 7
L64-78at Samford BulldogsFeb 6
W71-66vs UNC Greensboro SpartansJan 31
W80-56vs VMI KeydetsJan 30
L55-84at East Tennessee State BuccaneersJan 24
W77-75vs Furman PaladinsJan 22
W82-68at VMI KeydetsJan 18
L66-69at UNC Greensboro SpartansJan 16

Samford Bulldogs

Last 10: 6-4Streak W578.8 scored · 72.2 allowed per game2-2 away

W82-72at East Tennessee State BuccaneersFeb 14
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

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	The Citadel Bulldogs
Field goals	29-57	29-69
Field goal %	51	42
Three-pointers	9-24	11-29
Three-point %	38	38
Free throws	11-19	6-8
Free throw %	58	75
Rebounds	44	31
Offensive rebounds	9	7
Defensive rebounds	35	24
Assists	15	11
Steals	3	8
Blocks	1	5
Turnovers	13	6
Team turnovers	0	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	7	18
Fast-break points	12	11
Points in the paint	36	36
Fouls	9	19
Largest lead	19	5
Lead changes	10	10
Time in front	74	20

How the scoring went

2nd Half39-40Eze Wali makes 10-foot jumper
2nd Half42-40Jadin Booth makes 23-foot three point jumper (Dylan Faulkner assists)
2nd Half44-40Cade Norris makes layup
2nd Half47-40Zion Wilburn makes 23-foot three point jumper (Cade Norris assists)
2nd Half50-40Jadin Booth makes 25-foot three point jumper (Keaton Norris assists)
2nd Half50-43Keynan Davis makes 25-foot three point jumper (Carter Kingsbury assists)
2nd Half52-43Zion Wilburn makes layup
2nd Half52-45Simeon German makes layup
2nd Half54-45Zion Wilburn makes layup
2nd Half56-45Jadin Booth makes layup (Keaton Norris assists)
2nd Half59-45Keaton Norris makes 27-foot three point jumper (Jadin Booth assists)
2nd Half61-45Jadin Booth makes 18-foot jumper
2nd Half63-45Cade Norris makes 12-foot jumper
2nd Half63-47Christian Moore makes layup
2nd Half63-48Christian Moore makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half65-48Cade Norris makes layup (Dylan Faulkner assists)
2nd Half67-48Dylan Faulkner makes 4-foot dunk
2nd Half67-49Braxton Williams makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half67-50Braxton Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half67-52Sola Adebisi makes layup
2nd Half69-52Dylan Faulkner makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half69-55Dante Kearse makes 23-foot three point jumper (Sola Adebisi assists)
2nd Half70-55Jadin Booth makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half70-57Braxton Williams makes layup
2nd Half70-58Braxton Williams makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half71-58Cade Norris makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half72-58Cade Norris makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half72-61Braxton Williams makes 25-foot three point jumper (Logan Applegate assists)
2nd Half72-63Marcos Gonzales makes 9-foot jumper
2nd Half72-65Braxton Williams makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half73-65Keaton Norris makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half73-68Braxton Williams makes 24-foot three point jumper (Marcos Gonzales assists)
2nd Half74-68Zion Wilburn makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half74-71Braxton Williams makes 24-foot three point jumper (Marcos Gonzales assists)
2nd Half75-71Zion Wilburn makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half76-71Zion Wilburn makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half76-73Sola Adebisi makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half77-73Jadin Booth makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half77-75Marcos Gonzales makes layup
2nd Half78-75Zion Wilburn makes free throw 1 of 2