A Recap of Saturday's SoCon MBB Games

Saturday, February 18, 2023

It was not a good day to be the home team in the SoCon on Saturday, with all four home teams dropping their game today. The Spartans, Bulldogs, Terriers, and Catamounts all picked up road wins today, with Samford remaining in first place and the Spartans holding on to at least a tie for second, while the Catamounts increased their hold on the number 4 spot in the conference standings with a two-game lead over the Mocs. The Paladins must win Sunday to remain in the hunt for the regular season crown, and the number one seed in the SoCon MBB tournament, on the "Road to Asheville"

UNCG 93 - Chattanooga 76
UNCG men's basketball team bounced back with a 93-76 victory over Chattanooga Saturday afternoon at McKenzie Arena in Southern Conference (SoCon) play. The Spartans saw four with double-digit points, including Bas Leyte leading the team with 16 points. This matched his season-best. Keyshaun and Kobe Langley each had 15 points, as Kobe's was a season-best. Keondre Kennedy chipped in 13 points. This was the 11th game this season where four or more Spartans recorded double-digit points. UNCG has now won a game by double digits in 13 games this season and scored 90 or more points in five games this season.

Samford 96 - VMI 61
The Samford Men's Basketball Team put on an offensive clinic in its 96-61 blowout victory at VMI on Saturday. With the win, Samford improves to 20-9 overall and 14-2 in Southern Conference play. It is the fourth time the Bulldogs have notched 20 wins in a season and the first time in program history that the Bulldogs have recorded consecutive seasons with 20 regular-season wins. Samford sits just one league win shy of tying the 1998-99 squad for most conference victories in a season at 15. The Bulldogs used a monster second half to pull away from VMI, outscoring them 65-31 over the final 20 minutes. Samford knocked down 15 threes in the second half on 21 attempts (71%) while shooting 23-34 from the field (68%).

Wofford 72 - The Citadel 68
The Wofford College men's basketball team was able to hold on late to get a crucial 72-68 road win over The Citadel at McAlister Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon. The Terriers trailed with 3:35 remaining in the second half but were able to rally late for the second time this week and pick up a win. Clutch free throw shooting late in the game helped to seal the victory as a 68-66 lead with 24 seconds left turned into a 72-68 margin with senior B.J. Mack and freshman Jackson Paveletzke both going 2-2 from the line in the final 24 seconds. Paveletzke's free throws gave Wofford a 72-68 lead with only nine seconds left and a Corey Tripp steal would allow the Terriers to run out the clock on a 72-68 road win.

Western Carolina 71 - Mercer 68
Tre Jackson led four Western Carolina players in double figures with 18 points as the Catamounts held off a later Mercer rally for a 71-68 win over the Bears inside Hawkins Arena on Saturday afternoon. WCU improves to 16-13 overall and 9-7 in Southern Conference play with the win. Mercer falls to 12-17 and 5-11. The Catamounts complete the season sweep of Mercer for the first time since the 2015-16 season. Jackson's 18-point day came as he finished 5-for-15 from the field, 2-for-6 on 3-point attempts, and 6-for-7 at the free throw line. Vonterius Woolbright tallied 16 points along with seven rebounds, and seven assists. Tyzhaun Claude returned to the lineup on Saturday, posting a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Russell Jones Jr. also finished in double figures with 12 points. Of WCU's 71 points, 20 came as a result of Mercer turnovers as the Catamounts forced 15 Bear miscues.