Wofford Edges East Tennessee State in Thrilling Finish
Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Freedom Hall (TN)
Wofford Terriers 72, East Tennessee State Buccaneers 69, 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 Wofford Terriers vs East Tennessee State Buccaneers?
Wofford Terriers beat East Tennessee State Buccaneers 72-69 at Freedom Hall (TN) on February 25, 2026.
Who was favored in Wofford Terriers vs East Tennessee State Buccaneers?
East Tennessee State Buccaneers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -325 (about 76% implied). The underdog won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the Wofford Terriers secured a narrow victory over the East Tennessee State Buccaneers, winning 72-69 at Freedom Hall in Tennessee. This game was particularly significant as it marked a pivotal moment in the Southern Conference standings, with both teams vying for a strong finish to the season. The victory allowed Wofford to even their head-to-head record against East Tennessee State to 2-2 over the last two seasons.
Wofford entered the game with a record of 19-11 and was looking to bounce back after a recent loss to Furman. Prior to this game, Wofford had a mixed record of 6-4 in their last ten games, averaging 79.7 points scored while allowing 77.7 points. Their recent form included a win against VMI but was marred by a loss to Furman just days before facing East Tennessee State. On the road, Wofford had a record of 2-2 in their last four away games, which highlighted their struggle to maintain consistency away from home.
In contrast, East Tennessee State boasted a strong home record of 21-9, and they had been performing well, winning eight of their last ten games, with an average of 79.7 points scored and 71.1 points allowed. They had a two-game winning streak leading into this matchup, including a recent victory over UNC Greensboro. However, they faced challenges at home, having lost two of their last five games at Freedom Hall.
The game was characterized by a series of scoring plays that kept fans on the edge of their seats. In the second half, Wofford's Kahmare Holmes made a driving layup that put the Terriers ahead 67-65, followed by Rex Stirling's layup, extending the lead to 69-65. East Tennessee State fought back, with Blake Barkley making a layup and a free throw that brought the score to 69-68. A crucial moment came when Cayden Vasko made two free throws, pushing Wofford's lead to 72-69 in the closing moments of the game.
The market had set the odds with East Tennessee State favored by 6.5 points according to DraftKings, reflecting their strong home performance. The total for the game was set at 149.5, indicating expectations for a high-scoring affair, which ultimately fell short as the teams combined for 141 points.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but both teams have had to navigate the challenges of maintaining player health throughout the season. This aspect often plays a crucial role in the performance of teams as they approach the postseason.
As the game unfolded, viewers witnessed a battle of wills, with both teams exchanging leads and showcasing their offensive capabilities. The crowd at Freedom Hall was treated to an exciting display of basketball, with the outcome hanging in the balance until the final moments. The victory for Wofford not only boosted their confidence but also added a layer of intrigue to the Southern Conference standings as the teams head toward the conclusion of the regular season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | ETSU -6.5 | 149.5 o -110 / u -110 | Wofford Terriers +260 · East Tennessee State Buccaneers -325 |
Leaders
- PointsBlake Barkley16East Tennessee State Buccaneers
- AssistsMaki Johnson4East Tennessee State Buccaneers
- ReboundsBlake Barkley6East Tennessee State Buccaneers
- PointsNils Machowski20Wofford Terriers
- AssistsNils Machowski6Wofford Terriers
- ReboundsCayden Vasko6Wofford Terriers
Recent form
East Tennessee State Buccaneers
Last 10: 8-2Streak W279.7 scored · 71.1 allowed per game3-2 at home
- W87-75at UNC Greensboro SpartansFeb 21
- W78-69at Furman PaladinsFeb 18
- L72-82vs Samford BulldogsFeb 14
- W73-61vs Chattanooga MocsFeb 12
- W87-70at VMI KeydetsFeb 7
- W75-71vs Furman PaladinsFeb 5
- W86-72at Wofford TerriersFeb 2
- L88-90vs Western Carolina CatamountsJan 30
- W84-55vs The Citadel BulldogsJan 24
- W67-66at Chattanooga MocsJan 22
Wofford Terriers
Last 10: 6-4Streak L179.7 scored · 77.7 allowed per game2-2 away
- L67-76vs Furman PaladinsFeb 22
- W82-76vs VMI KeydetsFeb 18
- L89-99at UNC Greensboro SpartansFeb 14
- L80-97at Samford BulldogsFeb 12
- W77-66vs Western Carolina CatamountsFeb 7
- W81-67at VMI KeydetsFeb 4
- L72-86vs East Tennessee State BuccaneersFeb 2
- W81-55at Chattanooga MocsJan 29
- W80-77vs Mercer BearsJan 24
- W88-78vs Samford BulldogsJan 21
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 | Wofford Terriers | East Tennessee State Buccaneers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 25-62 | 27-51 |
| Field goal % | 40 | 53 |
| Three-pointers | 8-27 | 2-13 |
| Three-point % | 30 | 15 |
| Free throws | 14-18 | 13-22 |
| Free throw % | 78 | 59 |
| Rebounds | 30 | 35 |
| Offensive rebounds | 10 | 7 |
| Defensive rebounds | 20 | 28 |
| Assists | 14 | 13 |
| Steals | 5 | 5 |
| Blocks | 1 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 6 | 12 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 16 | 7 |
| Fast-break points | 14 | 16 |
| Points in the paint | 32 | 48 |
| Fouls | 15 | 15 |
| Largest lead | 8 | 6 |
| Lead changes | 12 | 12 |
| Time in front | 41 | 45 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half38-39Kahmare Holmes makes 28-foot three point jumper (Chace Watley assists)
- 2nd Half38-41Jordan McCullum makes 14-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half40-41Kahmare Holmes makes layup (Rex Stirling assists)
- 2nd Half40-42Cam Morris III makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half40-44Jordan McCullum makes layup (Maki Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half40-46Cam Morris III makes layup (Brian Taylor II assists)
- 2nd Half42-46Nils Machowski makes driving layup
- 2nd Half42-48Brian Taylor II makes layup
- 2nd Half43-48Cayden Vasko makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half44-48Cayden Vasko makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half46-48Brian Sumpter makes 0-foot alley oop dunk (Nils Machowski assists)
- 2nd Half46-50Maki Johnson makes layup
- 2nd Half48-50Nils Machowski makes 10-foot jumper
- 2nd Half48-52Blake Barkley makes 9-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half51-52Cayden Vasko makes 24-foot three point jumper (Nils Machowski assists)
- 2nd Half51-53Jordan McCullum makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-53Kahmare Holmes makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-55Cam Morris III makes driving layup (Maki Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half55-55Nils Machowski makes 26-foot three point jumper (Cayden Vasko assists)
- 2nd Half55-57Cam Morris III makes layup (Brian Taylor II assists)
- 2nd Half56-57Nils Machowski makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-57Nils Machowski makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-57Brian Sumpter makes layup (Nils Machowski assists)
- 2nd Half59-59Jaylen Smith makes 14-foot jumper
- 2nd Half60-59Nils Machowski makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-59Nils Machowski makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half63-59Kahmare Holmes makes layup
- 2nd Half63-61Blake Barkley makes layup
- 2nd Half63-63Brian Taylor II makes 7-foot jumper
- 2nd Half65-63Nils Machowski makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half65-64Brian Taylor II makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-65Brian Taylor II makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-65Kahmare Holmes makes driving layup
- 2nd Half69-65Rex Stirling makes layup (Cayden Vasko assists)
- 2nd Half69-67Blake Barkley makes layup
- 2nd Half69-68Blake Barkley makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half69-69Brian Taylor II makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-69Cayden Vasko makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-69Cayden Vasko makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half72-69Cayden Vasko makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours East Tennessee State Buccaneers, below favours Wofford Terriers.
Venue
- Freedom Hall (TN)Johnson City, TN
- Attendance5306
- OfficialsAustin Jones, Allen Sutton, Luke Payne
Elsewhere
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- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond