"Catamounts Claw Past Keydets"

In a decisive victory, Western Carolina (261 NET) outpaced Virginia Military Institute (358 NET) by a 19-point margin, securing an 81-62 win at Cameron Hall. The Catamounts' 38-30 halftime lead marked the beginning of their control over the game, while the Keydets' 32-43 second-half deficit underscored their inability to mount a comeback.

As the final scores indicate, Western Carolina's superior performance was evident from the outset, with the team maintaining a double-digit advantage throughout the second half. The 19-point margin at the final whistle reflects the chasm between the two teams, with Western Carolina's more efficient offense and defense ultimately proving too great for VMI to overcome.

Cord Stansberry's well-rounded performance was a key factor in Western Carolina's victory, as he contributed 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists. His shooting efficiency was notable, with 60% of his field goal attempts (6-10) and 60% of his three-point attempts (3-5) finding the mark. Stansberry also displayed a high level of discipline, converting all two of his free throw attempts.

Tidjiane Dioumassi and Samuel Dada also made significant contributions to the Catamounts' win. Dioumassi scored 15 points on 53.8% shooting from the field (7-13) and added 4 assists, while Dada chipped in with 14 points and a team-high 9 rebounds. Dada's 92.9% free throw shooting (2-2) was also a notable aspect of his performance.

Walker Andrews' performance was a mixed bag, as he managed to knock down a trio of three-pointers to finish with 13 points, but was largely absent from the rebounding column, with just a single board to show for his efforts. His shooting percentages were respectable, converting 57% of his field goals and 75% of his free throws, but it was not enough to lift the Keydets to victory.

TJ Johnson and Cal Liston were the other top scorers for VMI, but both were hindered by poor shooting nights. Johnson connected on just 29% of his field goal attempts, and was 2-8 from beyond the arc, while Liston's 4-7 mark from three-point range was a bright spot, but not enough to offset his 4-14 overall shooting performance. Both players were unable to find a rhythm and were largely shut down by the Western Carolina defense.

The supporting cast for both teams largely adhered to their established season averages, with no notable deviations from their usual production.

The pre-game prediction of a 7.3-point margin in favor of Western Carolina ultimately proved correct, as the Catamounts secured a 19-point victory. However, the actual outcome was not a foregone conclusion, as VMI's performance in this contest was significantly better than their season average in several key categories.

The decisive factors in Western Carolina's win were their ability to contain VMI's three-point shooting and their dominance on the glass. The Keydets' three-point percentage, which was 6.2 percentage points above their season average, failed to materialize in this game. Conversely, Western Carolina's strong rebounding performance, which was in line with their season average, gave them a crucial advantage in terms of second-chance opportunities and possession time.

Western Carolina's victory has little to no impact on its NCAA Tournament resume, as it remains a long shot to receive an at-large bid. The Catamounts' NET ranking of #261 and 0-5 Quad 1 record make it unlikely they will be considered for a seeding above the 16-line range. Conversely, VMI's loss has significantly damaged its NCAA Tournament chances, as its NET ranking of #358 and 0-2 Quad 1 record have effectively eliminated any possibility of receiving a bid. The Keydets' Quad 4 winless streak now stands at 11 games, all but sealing their fate as one of the last four teams out.