NCAAB · Final

Western Carolina Defeats VMI Keydets 81-62

Saturday, February 21, 2026, 1:00 PM ET · Cameron Hall

Western Carolina Catamounts 81, VMI Keydets 62, 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 VMI Keydets?

Western Carolina Catamounts beat VMI Keydets 81-62 at Cameron Hall on February 21, 2026.

Who was favored in Western Carolina Catamounts vs VMI Keydets?

Western Carolina Catamounts were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -425 (about 81% implied). The favorite won.

In a decisive matchup, the Western Carolina Catamounts secured an 81-62 victory over the VMI Keydets at Cameron Hall. This game highlighted the stark contrast in the recent form of both teams, with the Catamounts riding a three-game winning streak, while the Keydets extended their losing streak to ten games.

The Keydets, with a home record of 6-23, have struggled significantly this season, particularly in their last ten games, where they have not managed to secure a single win, posting a record of 0-10. During this streak, they averaged 69.7 points scored per game while allowing an average of 86.2 points, indicating a significant defensive vulnerability. Their last five games saw them score an average of 71.2 points but concede 86.4 points, further emphasizing their struggles on both ends of the court.

In stark contrast, the Catamounts, who hold a 12-15 record, have shown a resurgence in form, winning five of their last ten games. They averaged 81.3 points scored during this stretch while allowing 77.2 points, showcasing a more balanced performance. Their recent victories include a 91-77 win against UNC Greensboro and an 81-76 win against Chattanooga, demonstrating their offensive capabilities.

Historically, the Catamounts have had the upper hand in their recent meetings with the Keydets, winning two of the last three encounters. The most recent clash prior to this game was on January 24, 2026, where Western Carolina triumphed 88-58. The Keydets managed to secure a win against the Catamounts earlier in the 2025 season, but their recent form suggests that they have struggled to replicate that success.

In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details on player availability for either team, but the overall performance metrics suggest that the Catamounts were able to capitalize on their full roster against a Keydets team that has been unable to find consistent scoring or defensive solutions.

The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Western Carolina favored by 8.5 points, with a total set at 154.5. The moneyline odds reflected a strong belief in the Catamounts' chances, with them priced at -425, while the Keydets were listed at +330.

The game conditions were typical for a college basketball matchup, held in the indoor venue of Cameron Hall, which has been the home court for the Keydets. This environment, however, did not seem to provide the necessary boost for VMI, who have struggled at home with a 0-5 record in their last five home games.

Throughout the game, viewers witnessed several notable scoring plays, including a 6-foot jumper by Samuel Dada and a 25-foot three-point jumper by Cal Liston, both contributing to the Catamounts' offensive display. The Catamounts effectively maintained their lead, with a significant advantage in scoring throughout the second half, culminating in a final score of 81-62.

Overall, this matchup underscored the challenges faced by the VMI Keydets this season, while the Western Carolina Catamounts demonstrated their potential as they continue to build momentum heading into the latter part of the season.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	WCU -8.5	154.5 o -110 / u -110	Western Carolina Catamounts -425 · VMI Keydets +330

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

Leaders

PointsWalker Andrews13VMI Keydets
AssistsTan Yildizoglu7VMI Keydets
ReboundsTJ Johnson7VMI Keydets
PointsCord Stansberry17Western Carolina Catamounts
AssistsCord Stansberry4Western Carolina Catamounts
ReboundsCord Stansberry11Western Carolina Catamounts

Recent form

VMI Keydets

Last 10: 0-10Streak L1069.7 scored · 86.2 allowed per game0-5 at home

L76-82at Wofford TerriersFeb 18
L72-90vs Furman PaladinsFeb 14
L71-92at UNC Greensboro SpartansFeb 12
L70-87vs East Tennessee State BuccaneersFeb 7
L67-81vs Wofford TerriersFeb 4
L81-95at Mercer BearsJan 31
L56-80at The Citadel BulldogsJan 30
L58-88at Western Carolina CatamountsJan 24
L78-85vs UNC Greensboro SpartansJan 21
L68-82vs The Citadel BulldogsJan 18

Western Carolina Catamounts

Last 10: 5-5Streak W381.3 scored · 77.2 allowed per game2-3 away

W91-77vs UNC Greensboro SpartansFeb 19
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

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	VMI Keydets
Field goals	28-62	22-56
Field goal %	45	39
Three-pointers	10-30	11-29
Three-point %	33	38
Free throws	15-17	7-11
Free throw %	88	64
Rebounds	41	30
Offensive rebounds	10	5
Defensive rebounds	31	25
Assists	20	16
Steals	3	1
Blocks	2	1
Turnovers	3	7
Team turnovers	1	2
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	12	5
Fast-break points	3	10
Points in the paint	28	16
Fouls	16	13
Largest lead	22	0
Lead changes	0	0
Time in front	99	0

How the scoring went

1st Half36-30Mario Tatum Jr. makes layup
1st Half38-30Tidjiane Dioumassi makes layup
2nd Half39-30Samuel Dada makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half40-30Samuel Dada makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half42-30Cord Stansberry makes 16-foot jumper (Tidjiane Dioumassi assists)
2nd Half44-30Samuel Dada makes layup (Tidjiane Dioumassi assists)
2nd Half44-33Walker Andrews makes 25-foot three point jumper (TJ Johnson assists)
2nd Half45-33Abdulai Fanta Kabba makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half45-35Kaden Stuckey makes layup (Tan Yildizoglu assists)
2nd Half48-35Marcus Kell makes 24-foot three point jumper (Justin Johnson assists)
2nd Half51-35Tahlan Pettway makes 23-foot three point jumper (Justin Johnson assists)
2nd Half51-37Tan Yildizoglu makes layup
2nd Half53-37Tidjiane Dioumassi makes layup (Justin Johnson assists)
2nd Half53-39Walker Andrews makes 20-foot jumper
2nd Half53-40Walker Andrews makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half53-41Walker Andrews makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half55-41Cord Stansberry makes 17-foot jumper (Tahlan Pettway assists)
2nd Half55-43TJ Johnson makes layup
2nd Half57-43Samuel Dada makes layup (Cord Stansberry assists)
2nd Half57-46Linus Holmstrom makes 25-foot three point jumper (Kaden Stuckey assists)
2nd Half57-49Walker Andrews makes 25-foot three point jumper
2nd Half58-49Marcus Kell makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half59-49Marcus Kell makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half61-49Samuel Dada makes 8-foot jumper (Justin Johnson assists)
2nd Half61-50TJ Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half61-51TJ Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half61-53Tan Yildizoglu makes 17-foot jumper (TJ Johnson assists)
2nd Half64-53Cord Stansberry makes 23-foot three point jumper (Tidjiane Dioumassi assists)
2nd Half67-53Tahlan Pettway makes 27-foot three point jumper (Tayeshaun Smith assists)
2nd Half70-53Cord Stansberry makes 25-foot three point jumper (Marcus Kell assists)
2nd Half70-54Linus Holmstrom makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half72-54Tidjiane Dioumassi makes layup
2nd Half74-54Samuel Dada makes 6-foot jumper (Marcus Kell assists)
2nd Half76-54Tidjiane Dioumassi makes layup
2nd Half76-57Cal Liston makes 25-foot three point jumper (Linus Holmstrom assists)
2nd Half79-57Drew Hollifield makes 27-foot three point jumper (Tahlan Pettway assists)
2nd Half79-59Tan Yildizoglu makes layup
2nd Half80-59Tahlan Pettway makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half81-59Tahlan Pettway makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half81-62Mason Lawson makes 23-foot three point jumper (Tan Yildizoglu assists)