CULLOWHEE, N.C. (Interstat) — In a Southern Conference clash defined by grit over grace, the Western Carolina Catamounts snapped a three-game skid by holding off the East Tennessee State Buccaneers 72-68 on Wednesday night at a raucous Ramsey Center.

The game, witnessed by 1,498 fans, was a tale of contrasting efficiencies. Western Carolina leaned on a superior shooting performance and clutch plays down the stretch, while East Tennessee State’s disruptive defense and advantage in ball security were ultimately undone by missed opportunities in the final minutes.

The Catamounts improved to 6-10 overall, while the Buccaneers, who had won three straight, fell to 12-6.

Western Carolina’s victory was anchored by a balanced and efficient offensive attack. The Catamounts shot 48.2% from the field and connected on nine three-pointers. Cord Stansberry, a guard from Bermuda Dunes, California, led all scorers with 20 points, including four three-pointers. Marcus Kell of Fort Mill, South Carolina, added 15 points and Samuel Dada, a forward from Lagos, Nigeria, provided a crucial interior presence with 13 points, two assists and a blocked shot.

East Tennessee State countered with a high-pressure defense that forced 12 Western Carolina turnovers and generated 10 steals. The Buccaneers also shared the ball effectively, tallying 10 assists to the Catamounts’ three. Cam Morris of Alexander City, Alabama, paced ETSU with 19 points, four assists and two blocks. Brian Taylor from St. Louis led the Buccaneers with 23 points, and Blake Barkley of Morgantown, West Virginia, chipped in 15 points.

The contest was tight throughout, featuring 10 ties and 13 lead changes. Western Carolina took a narrow 36-35 edge into halftime. The second half followed a similar pattern, with neither team able to build a lead larger than six points.

The most critical sequence unfolded in the final 90 seconds with the score knotted at 68. Following an East Tennessee State turnover, Western Carolina worked the shot clock. With just over a minute to play, Samuel Dada set a screen and slipped to the high post, receiving a pass from Tidjiane Dioumassi. Dada immediately fired a pass to a curling Cord Stansberry on the left wing, who drained a three-pointer with 49 seconds remaining to put the Catamounts ahead 71-68.

East Tennessee State had two chances to tie on its ensuing possession. Brian Taylor’s driving layup was heavily contested and missed, and Blake Barkley’s tip attempt also rolled off. Western Carolina’s Marcus Kell secured the defensive rebound and was fouled with 12 seconds left. Kell made the first free throw to extend the lead to four but missed the second, giving ETSU a final hope.

The Buccaneers rushed the ball upcourt, but Taylor’s deep three-point attempt to cut the deficit to one was off the mark as the horn sounded, sealing the home victory for Western Carolina.

Statistically, the game highlighted a clash of styles. East Tennessee State’s offensive rating of 108.1 on 63 possessions was bested by Western Carolina’s more efficient 111.3 on 65 trips. The Catamounts also made the most of their free throws, hitting nine of 12, while the Buccaneers left points at the line, making 17 of 23.

East Tennessee State looks to rebound on the road at Samford on Saturday. Western Carolina continues its homestand, hosting Chattanooga, also on Saturday.