Western Carolina Catamounts Dominate Citadel Bulldogs 87-49 Behind Julien Soumaoro's 15 Points

The Western Carolina Catamounts delivered a resounding 87-49 victory over the Citadel Bulldogs, with Julien Soumaoro leading the charge with 15 points and 5 rebounds. This dominant performance saw Western Carolina outscore Citadel 52-25 in the first half, setting the tone for the rest of the game. The Catamounts' 38-point margin of victory was a significant departure from the predicted 9.9-point margin, showcasing their impressive offensive and defensive capabilities.

The game unfolded with Western Carolina taking an early lead, scoring 52 points in the first half while holding Citadel to just 25. The Citadel Bulldogs struggled to find their rhythm, shooting only 25% from the field in the first half. Western Carolina's strong defense continued into the second half, allowing only 24 points to Citadel. The Catamounts' own offense slowed down slightly, scoring 35 points in the second half, but their first-half lead was more than enough to secure the win. Tidjiane Dioumassi and Tahlan Pettway also made significant contributions, each scoring 12 points for Western Carolina. Citadel's top performer, Sola Adebisi, managed 10 points, but it was not enough to overcome the Catamounts' dominant performance.

Julien Soumaoro was the standout player for Western Carolina, with 15 points and 5 rebounds, while Tidjiane Dioumassi and Tahlan Pettway each added 12 points. For Citadel, Sola Adebisi led the team with 10 points, followed by Cassius Bonjasky with 7 points and Braxton Williams with 6 points. Western Carolina's balanced offense, with three players scoring in double figures, proved too much for Citadel to handle. The Catamounts' ability to share the ball and create scoring opportunities was evident in their 52-point first half, where they shot 55% from the field.

Western Carolina's 87 points were a result of their efficient shooting, with a 51% field goal percentage and 40% three-point shooting. The Catamounts also outrebounded Citadel 35-25, with Julien Soumaoro and Tahlan Pettway each grabbing 5 rebounds. Citadel, on the other hand, struggled with turnovers, committing 15 compared to Western Carolina's 10. The Citadel Bulldogs' 49 points were their lowest total of the season, highlighting the effectiveness of Western Carolina's defense. The Catamounts' 38-point margin of victory was also their largest of the season.

The CHD Scout predicted a Western Carolina victory by 9.9 points, and while the actual margin was much larger, the prediction was still correct. The predicted score of 81-71 was not far off from the actual first-half score, but Western Carolina's dominant performance in the first half set the tone for the rest of the game. The CHD Scout model correctly identified Western Carolina as the stronger team, but underestimated the extent of their dominance. With a final score of 87-49, it is clear that Western Carolina outperformed expectations.

This victory improves Western Carolina's record to 9-15, while Citadel falls to 9-17. As a Quadrant 4 game for both teams, the win helps Western Carolina's resume, but the impact is limited due to the low quadrant ranking. Western Carolina's current NET ranking of 279 could see a slight improvement, while Citadel's ranking of 343 is unlikely to change significantly. The 38-point margin of victory is a notable result, but its impact on Western Carolina's tournament chances remains to be seen. With the regular season nearing its end, Western Carolina want to build on this momentum and secure more wins to bolster their resume.

Western Carolina's next game is scheduled for February 15, where they will face off against the UNC Greensboro Spartans. Citadel, on the other hand, will take on the Mercer Bears on February 14. Both teams want to build on their current records and make a push for a stronger finish to the season. Western Carolina will aim to carry their dominant performance into their next game, while Citadel will seek to bounce back from their disappointing loss.