Western Carolina Catamounts Defeat UNC Greensboro Spartans 91-77
Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Ramsey Center
Western Carolina Catamounts 91, UNC Greensboro Spartans 77, 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 UNC Greensboro Spartans vs Western Carolina Catamounts?
Western Carolina Catamounts beat UNC Greensboro Spartans 91-77 at Ramsey Center on February 18, 2026.
Who was favored in UNC Greensboro Spartans vs Western Carolina Catamounts?
Western Carolina Catamounts were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -238 (about 70% implied). The favorite won.
In a decisive matchup, the Western Carolina Catamounts secured a 91-77 victory over the UNC Greensboro Spartans at the Ramsey Center. This win not only marked a significant achievement for the Catamounts but also ended their previous losing streak against the Spartans, having lost their last three encounters. The Catamounts improved their home record to 12-15, while the Spartans fell to 12-17 on the season.
The Catamounts entered this game with a mixed recent form, boasting a record of 5-5 over their last ten games, and were on a two-game winning streak. They averaged 79.4 points scored while allowing 76.3 points during this stretch. Their last five games reflected a similar trend, with an average of 77.2 points scored and 74.2 points allowed. In their last home game, they achieved a commanding 87-49 victory against The Citadel Bulldogs, showcasing their offensive capabilities.
On the other hand, the Spartans had a stronger recent performance, with a record of 6-4 in their last ten games and a four-game winning streak leading up to this matchup. They also averaged 79.4 points scored but had a higher average of 80.3 points allowed during this period. Their recent games included a high-scoring 99-89 win against the Wofford Terriers, indicating their ability to score effectively, although they had struggled defensively.
Historically, the Catamounts had not fared well against the Spartans, losing their last three meetings. The most recent encounter prior to this game was on February 4, 2026, where the Catamounts lost 78-81. The previous two games also saw them fall short, with scores of 70-74 and 55-83 in earlier seasons. This context added significance to their victory, as they finally managed to overcome their rivals.
In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details, but the performance of both teams suggests they were at full strength for this crucial game. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Catamounts favored by 5.5 points, with a total set at 155.5 points. The odds reflected confidence in the Catamounts' ability to perform well at home, particularly given their recent form.
The conditions for the game were conducive to a high-scoring affair, and the Catamounts capitalized on this by demonstrating a potent offense. Key plays in the second half included free throws by Cord Stansberry and Marcus Kell, which helped to solidify their lead as the game progressed. The Catamounts' ability to convert free throws in critical moments proved vital, as they extended their lead to 91 points by the end of the game.
Viewers should have noted the Catamounts' offensive strategy, which effectively utilized their scoring depth and capitalized on defensive lapses from the Spartans. The game showcased their resilience and ability to perform under pressure, especially after a rough patch in their previous encounters against UNC Greensboro. The Catamounts' win probability was at 1.0 by the game's conclusion, highlighting their dominance in this matchup.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | WCU -5.5 | 155.5 o -108 / u -112 | UNC Greensboro Spartans +195 · Western Carolina Catamounts -238 |
Leaders
- PointsCord Stansberry25Western Carolina Catamounts
- AssistsTahlan Pettway3Western Carolina Catamounts
- ReboundsMarcus Kell9Western Carolina Catamounts
- PointsJustin Neely35UNC Greensboro Spartans
- AssistsJustin Neely4UNC Greensboro Spartans
- ReboundsJustin Neely8UNC Greensboro Spartans
Recent form
Western Carolina Catamounts
Last 10: 5-5Streak W279.4 scored · 76.3 allowed per game3-2 at home
- W81-76at Chattanooga MocsFeb 14
- W87-49vs The Citadel BulldogsFeb 11
- L66-77at Wofford TerriersFeb 7
- L78-81at UNC Greensboro SpartansFeb 4
- L74-88vs Samford BulldogsFeb 1
- W90-88at East Tennessee State BuccaneersJan 30
- W88-58vs VMI KeydetsJan 24
- L76-88at Mercer BearsJan 22
- L82-90vs Chattanooga MocsJan 17
- W72-68vs East Tennessee State BuccaneersJan 14
UNC Greensboro Spartans
Last 10: 6-4Streak W479.4 scored · 80.3 allowed per game2-2 away
- W99-89vs Wofford TerriersFeb 14
- W92-71vs VMI KeydetsFeb 12
- W67-64at Furman PaladinsFeb 8
- W81-78vs Western Carolina CatamountsFeb 4
- L66-71at The Citadel BulldogsJan 31
- L77-95at Mercer BearsJan 30
- L66-89vs Furman PaladinsJan 23
- W85-78at VMI KeydetsJan 21
- L92-102vs Mercer BearsJan 17
- W69-66vs The Citadel BulldogsJan 16
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 | UNC Greensboro Spartans | Western Carolina Catamounts |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 28-54 | 31-59 |
| Field goal % | 52 | 53 |
| Three-pointers | 7-19 | 12-26 |
| Three-point % | 37 | 46 |
| Free throws | 14-20 | 17-22 |
| Free throw % | 70 | 77 |
| Rebounds | 28 | 31 |
| Offensive rebounds | 6 | 8 |
| Defensive rebounds | 22 | 23 |
| Assists | 8 | 10 |
| Steals | 5 | 8 |
| Blocks | 2 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 10 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 2 | 1 |
| Technical fouls, total | 2 | 1 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 14 | 14 |
| Fast-break points | 11 | 13 |
| Points in the paint | 36 | 28 |
| Fouls | 19 | 19 |
| Largest lead | 7 | 15 |
| Lead changes | 2 | 2 |
| Time in front | 11 | 87 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half47-54Tahlan Pettway makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half50-54Justin Neely makes 27-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half51-54Donald Whitehead Jr. makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half51-56Marcus Kell makes layup
- 2nd Half51-57Marcus Kell makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half54-57KJ Younger makes 26-foot three point jumper (Donald Whitehead Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half56-57KJ Younger makes 1-foot dunk
- 2nd Half56-60Tahlan Pettway makes 26-foot three point jumper (Tidjiane Dioumassi assists)
- 2nd Half56-62Cord Stansberry makes layup
- 2nd Half56-64Tidjiane Dioumassi makes layup
- 2nd Half59-64Clinton Efinda makes 24-foot three point jumper (Justin Neely assists)
- 2nd Half59-67Cord Stansberry makes 27-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half61-67Justin Neely makes layup
- 2nd Half63-67Clinton Efinda makes layup
- 2nd Half63-69Marcus Kell makes layup
- 2nd Half63-70Marcus Kell makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half65-70Justin Neely makes layup
- 2nd Half65-72Tahlan Pettway makes 14-foot jumper
- 2nd Half65-73Abdulai Fanta Kabba makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-74Abdulai Fanta Kabba makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-74KJ Younger makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-74KJ Younger makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-76Tidjiane Dioumassi makes 22-foot jumper
- 2nd Half69-76Justin Neely makes 6-foot jumper
- 2nd Half70-76Justin Neely makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-76Justin Neely makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-78Tidjiane Dioumassi makes layup
- 2nd Half72-78Justin Neely makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half73-78Justin Neely makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half73-80Samuel Dada makes layup (Tahlan Pettway assists)
- 2nd Half76-80Noah Norgaard makes 24-foot three point jumper (Justin Neely assists)
- 2nd Half76-83Tahlan Pettway makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half77-83Valentino Pinedo makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half77-85Marcus Kell makes layup
- 2nd Half77-86Cord Stansberry makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half77-87Cord Stansberry makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half77-88Marcus Kell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half77-89Marcus Kell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half77-90Cord Stansberry makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half77-91Cord Stansberry makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Western Carolina Catamounts, below favours UNC Greensboro Spartans.
Venue
- Ramsey CenterCullowhee, NC
- Attendance1692
- OfficialsKurt Tackett, Garrett Nestor, Justin McKie
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