UNC Greensboro Edges Western Carolina in Close Contest
Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 6:00 PM ET · First Horizon Coliseum
UNC Greensboro Spartans 81, Western Carolina Catamounts 78, 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 Western Carolina Catamounts vs UNC Greensboro Spartans?
UNC Greensboro Spartans beat Western Carolina Catamounts 81-78 at First Horizon Coliseum on February 4, 2026.
Who was favored in Western Carolina Catamounts vs UNC Greensboro Spartans?
Western Carolina Catamounts were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -125 (about 56% implied). The underdog won.
In a thrilling matchup at First Horizon Coliseum, the UNC Greensboro Spartans narrowly defeated the Western Carolina Catamounts with a final score of 81-78. This game showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, with the Spartans managing to secure a victory despite a challenging recent form. UNC Greensboro's record now stands at 10-15, while Western Carolina falls to 8-15.
The Spartans entered this game with a home record of 9-15 and were looking to break a three-game losing streak. Their recent performance had been marked by inconsistency, as they had won only four of their last ten games, averaging 76.6 points scored while allowing 83.8 points per game. In their last five games, they had a record of 1-4, with an average of 77.2 points scored and 87.0 points allowed. Their home performance was slightly better, with a 3-2 record in their last five home games.
On the other hand, the Catamounts had also struggled recently, with a record of 4-6 in their last ten games. They were coming off a loss to the Samford Bulldogs, which marked their first defeat in their last five games. Western Carolina averaged 79.0 points scored and 79.7 points allowed during this stretch. Their away record reflected similar challenges, as they had been 2-3 in their last five road games.
In terms of previous meetings, the Spartans had the edge, winning both encounters against the Catamounts earlier in the season. In their last matchup on February 8, 2025, UNC Greensboro won 74-70, and they also claimed a decisive victory on January 18, 2025, with a score of 83-55.
Injury reports indicated that both teams were relatively healthy, which contributed to the competitive nature of the game. The absence of key players can often shift the dynamics of such matchups, but both squads fielded their primary rosters.
The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had the Catamounts favored by 1.5 points, with a total set at 155.5. The odds reflected the close nature of the contest, with Western Carolina at -125 on the money line and UNC Greensboro at +105.
The game unfolded in front of a lively crowd, with the atmosphere electric as both teams fought for every point. The Spartans managed to pull ahead in the final moments, thanks to a series of crucial free throws by Justin Neely, who played a pivotal role in the closing stages. Neely's performance included making three free throws in a row to secure the lead for UNC Greensboro, showcasing his composure under pressure.
As the final buzzer sounded, the Spartans celebrated their hard-fought victory, while the Catamounts were left to reflect on a closely contested game that slipped away in the final minutes. This matchup not only highlighted the rivalry between the two teams but also provided a glimpse into their respective seasons as they continue to battle for positioning in the league.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | WCU -1.5 | 155.5 o -108 / u -112 | Western Carolina Catamounts -125 · UNC Greensboro Spartans +105 |
Leaders
- PointsJustin Neely25UNC Greensboro Spartans
- AssistsJustin Neely4UNC Greensboro Spartans
- ReboundsJustin Neely11UNC Greensboro Spartans
- PointsMarcus Kell27Western Carolina Catamounts
- AssistsTidjiane Dioumassi4Western Carolina Catamounts
- ReboundsMarcus Kell7Western Carolina Catamounts
Recent form
UNC Greensboro Spartans
Last 10: 4-6Streak L376.6 scored · 83.8 allowed per game3-2 at home
- 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
- L60-86at East Tennessee State BuccaneersJan 10
- L85-97at Wofford TerriersJan 7
- W89-82vs Samford BulldogsJan 3
- W77-72vs Chattanooga MocsJan 1
Western Carolina Catamounts
Last 10: 4-6Streak L179 scored · 79.7 allowed per game2-3 away
- 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
- L77-79at The Citadel BulldogsJan 10
- L77-82at Samford BulldogsJan 8
- W80-77at Furman PaladinsJan 3
- L74-79vs Wofford TerriersDec 31
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 | Western Carolina Catamounts | UNC Greensboro Spartans |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 27-60 | 24-55 |
| Field goal % | 45 | 44 |
| Three-pointers | 10-27 | 9-20 |
| Three-point % | 37 | 45 |
| Free throws | 14-21 | 24-27 |
| Free throw % | 67 | 89 |
| Rebounds | 33 | 35 |
| Offensive rebounds | 13 | 13 |
| Defensive rebounds | 20 | 22 |
| Assists | 10 | 12 |
| Steals | 6 | 7 |
| Blocks | 6 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 12 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 7 | 7 |
| Fast-break points | 12 | 2 |
| Points in the paint | 18 | 24 |
| Fouls | 21 | 18 |
| Largest lead | 8 | 12 |
| Lead changes | 15 | 15 |
| Time in front | 46 | 34 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half47-51Noah Norgaard makes 12-foot floating jump shot (Donald Whitehead Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half49-51Tahlan Pettway makes 11-foot jumper
- 2nd Half49-54Noah Norgaard makes 23-foot three point jumper (Lilian Marville assists)
- 2nd Half51-54Abdulai Fanta Kabba makes layup
- 2nd Half54-54Cord Stansberry makes 24-foot three point jumper (Justin Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half54-55Justin Neely makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-56Justin Neely makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half55-56Justin Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half57-56Justin Johnson makes layup
- 2nd Half57-57Donald Whitehead Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-57CJ Hyland makes 24-foot three point jumper (Cord Stansberry assists)
- 2nd Half60-59Chane Bynum makes 10-foot jumper
- 2nd Half61-59Cord Stansberry makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half62-59Cord Stansberry makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-60Justin Neely makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half62-61Justin Neely makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-61CJ Hyland makes driving layup
- 2nd Half65-61CJ Hyland makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half65-64Donald Whitehead Jr. makes 25-foot three point jumper (Justin Neely assists)
- 2nd Half66-64Marcus Kell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-65Justin Neely makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-66Justin Neely makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-66Tahlan Pettway makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-66Tahlan Pettway makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-67Noah Norgaard makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-68Noah Norgaard makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-68Marcus Kell makes 8-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half70-71Lilian Marville makes 27-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half72-71Justin Johnson makes 7-foot jumper
- 2nd Half72-74Lilian Marville makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half73-74Julien Soumaoro makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-74Marcus Kell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half74-76Justin Neely makes driving layup
- 2nd Half76-76Justin Johnson makes 15-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half78-76Marcus Kell makes 12-foot jumper
- 2nd Half78-77Justin Neely makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half78-78Justin Neely makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half78-79Justin Neely makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half78-80Justin Neely makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half78-81Justin Neely makes free throw 3 of 3
Win probability
Above the line favours UNC Greensboro Spartans, below favours Western Carolina Catamounts.
Venue
- First Horizon ColiseumGreensboro, NC
- Attendance1204
- OfficialsSidney Cohen, Matt Jarman, Chase Shaw
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