NCAAB · Final

Western Carolina Dominates VMI in Convincing Win

Saturday, January 24, 2026, 1:30 PM ET · Ramsey Center

Western Carolina Catamounts 88, VMI Keydets 58, 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 VMI Keydets vs Western Carolina Catamounts?

Western Carolina Catamounts beat VMI Keydets 88-58 at Ramsey Center on January 24, 2026.

Who was favored in VMI Keydets vs Western Carolina Catamounts?

Western Carolina Catamounts were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -440 (about 81% implied). The favorite won.

In a decisive matchup, the Western Carolina Catamounts triumphed over the VMI Keydets with a final score of 88-58. This victory not only marked a significant win for the Catamounts but also showcased their ability to dominate after struggling in recent games. The contest took place at the Ramsey Center, where Western Carolina aimed to improve upon their home record of 7-12.

Entering the game, Western Carolina had a recent form of 2-8 over their last ten games, with an average of 76.1 points scored per game but allowing 84.9 points. The Catamounts had lost their last two games prior to this matchup, including a recent defeat against Mercer where they fell 76-88. In contrast, VMI came into the game with a record of 6-15 and had lost their last five games, averaging 73.0 points while allowing 74.6 points during that stretch. Their most recent outing was a loss to UNC Greensboro, where they lost 78-85.

The Catamounts' home performance has seen them struggle, with a home record of 1-2 in their last three games. VMI, on the other hand, had not fared well on the road, holding an away record of 0-3 in their last three games. Previous meetings between the two teams had favored VMI, with the Catamounts losing both encounters in the 2025 season, including a 76-80 defeat at home.

In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details regarding player availability, but it is an important aspect that often influences game outcomes. As for the betting market, DraftKings had set the odds with Western Carolina favored at -8.5, indicating expectations of a competitive game, though the eventual outcome was far from close. The total points line was set at 152.5, with odds of -112 for the over and -108 for the under.

The conditions during the game were not detailed in the block, but typically, home court advantage can play a role in the performance of the teams. Viewers were treated to a variety of scoring plays, including a notable 24-foot three-point jumper by Tan Yildizoglu and several layups by Justin Johnson, who contributed to the Catamounts' scoring surge in the second half.

Overall, this game served as a critical turning point for Western Carolina, demonstrating their capacity to bounce back from a tough stretch and assert dominance over a struggling VMI team.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	WCU -8.5	152.5 o -112 / u -108	VMI Keydets +340 · Western Carolina Catamounts -440

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

Leaders

PointsMarcus Kell18Western Carolina Catamounts
AssistsCord Stansberry5Western Carolina Catamounts
ReboundsAbdulai Fanta Kabba10Western Carolina Catamounts
PointsAJ Clark17VMI Keydets
AssistsTan Yildizoglu2VMI Keydets
ReboundsAJ Clark5VMI Keydets

Recent form

Western Carolina Catamounts

Last 10: 2-8Streak L276.1 scored · 84.9 allowed per game1-2 at home

L76-88at Mercer BearsJan 22
L82-90vs Chattanooga MocsJan 17
W72-68vs East Tennessee State BuccaneersJan 14
L77-79at The Citadel BulldogsJan 10
L77-82at Samford BulldogsJan 8
W80-77at Furman PaladinsJan 3
L74-79vs Wofford TerriersDec 31
L82-112at Georgia BulldogsDec 19
L74-96at Virginia Tech HokiesDec 12
L67-78at South Carolina Upstate SpartansDec 6

VMI Keydets

Last 10: 3-7Streak L573 scored · 74.6 allowed per game0-3 away

L78-85vs UNC Greensboro SpartansJan 21
L68-82vs The Citadel BulldogsJan 18
L67-77vs Mercer BearsJan 15
L48-69at Furman PaladinsJan 10
L67-81at East Tennessee State BuccaneersJan 8
W79-71vs Chattanooga MocsJan 3
L58-78vs Samford BulldogsJan 1
L90-97at Radford HighlandersDec 21
W86-70vs Loyola Maryland GreyhoundsDec 9
W89-36vs Christendom CrusadersDec 6

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	VMI Keydets	Western Carolina Catamounts
Field goals	21-53	37-72
Field goal %	40	51
Three-pointers	11-30	13-32
Three-point %	37	41
Free throws	5-6	1-3
Free throw %	83	33
Rebounds	20	47
Offensive rebounds	5	20
Defensive rebounds	15	27
Assists	9	17
Steals	4	6
Blocks	0	4
Turnovers	8	4
Team turnovers	1	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	4	12
Fast-break points	4	13
Points in the paint	18	44
Fouls	5	8
Largest lead	4	32
Lead changes	3	3
Time in front	13	84

How the scoring went

1st Half28-32Marcus Kell makes layup
1st Half28-33Marcus Kell makes free throw 1 of 1
1st Half28-35Abdulai Fanta Kabba makes layup
1st Half29-35AJ Clark makes free throw 2 of 2
1st Half30-35Jaylen Pazon makes free throw 1 of 2
1st Half31-35Jaylen Pazon makes free throw 2 of 2
1st Half31-37Samuel Dada makes layup (Cord Stansberry assists)
1st Half31-39Samuel Dada makes layup (Tidjiane Dioumassi assists)
1st Half33-39Mario Tatum Jr. makes layup
2nd Half33-41Abdulai Fanta Kabba makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half33-44Julien Soumaoro makes 24-foot three point jumper (Abdulai Fanta Kabba assists)
2nd Half33-47Julien Soumaoro makes 23-foot three point jumper
2nd Half33-50Tidjiane Dioumassi makes 24-foot three point jumper (Julien Soumaoro assists)
2nd Half35-50AJ Clark makes layup (TJ Johnson assists)
2nd Half35-52Julien Soumaoro makes layup
2nd Half35-54Tidjiane Dioumassi makes layup
2nd Half38-54TJ Johnson makes 26-foot three point jumper
2nd Half38-56Justin Johnson makes 3-foot dunk (Samuel Dada assists)
2nd Half40-56Jaylen Pazon makes layup
2nd Half40-59Tahlan Pettway makes 26-foot three point jumper
2nd Half40-61Samuel Dada makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half40-63Cord Stansberry makes layup
2nd Half43-63AJ Clark makes 24-foot three point jumper
2nd Half46-63TJ Johnson makes 26-foot three point jumper
2nd Half46-65Tidjiane Dioumassi makes 9-foot step back jumpshot
2nd Half46-67Marcus Kell makes layup (Cord Stansberry assists)
2nd Half46-69Marcus Kell makes layup (Cord Stansberry assists)
2nd Half46-71Cord Stansberry makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half46-74Cord Stansberry makes 24-foot three point jumper (Tidjiane Dioumassi assists)
2nd Half46-76Julien Soumaoro makes layup
2nd Half49-76Tan Yildizoglu makes 25-foot three point jumper
2nd Half49-79Marcus Kell makes 24-foot three point jumper (Cord Stansberry assists)
2nd Half52-79Tan Yildizoglu makes 24-foot three point jumper
2nd Half54-79AJ Clark makes layup (Tan Yildizoglu assists)
2nd Half54-81Tayeshaun Smith makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half54-83Samuel Dada makes layup (CJ Hyland assists)
2nd Half54-86Tahlan Pettway makes 26-foot three point jumper
2nd Half56-86Mario Tatum Jr. makes layup
2nd Half58-86Walker Andrews makes layup
2nd Half58-88Justin Johnson makes layup