SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Interstat) — Nils Machowski recorded a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds, and the Wofford Terriers used a dominant first-half offensive display to secure a 77-66 victory over the Western Carolina Catamounts in a Southern Conference men’s basketball game Saturday afternoon at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium.

A crowd of 1,932 watched as Wofford (17-8) improved to 11-1 at home this season, while Western Carolina fell to 8-15 overall and 2-8 in conference play. The Terriers, who entered as 5.5-point favorites, swept the regular-season series after a 79-74 win in Cullowhee on Dec. 31.

The most critical phase of the game was a decisive 16-2 run by Wofford late in the first half that transformed a narrow contest into a commanding lead. With Western Carolina trailing 33-31 after a 3-pointer by Tahlan Pettway with 5:23 remaining, the Terriers clamped down defensively and executed efficiently on the other end. Brian Sumpter ignited the surge with a dunk off a feed from Machowski, then scored again on a layup. After a Western Carolina miss, Chace Watley converted a pair of free throws, and following a Catamount turnover, Rex Stirling finished inside to cap the run, giving Wofford a 41-33 advantage with 1:44 left in the half. The Terriers took that eight-point lead, 41-36, into halftime and never allowed Western Carolina within one possession again.

Wofford’s victory was built on superior shooting and interior dominance. The Terriers shot 54.5% from the field, making 30 of 55 attempts, while Western Carolina managed just 40% on 26-of-65 shooting. The disparity was even more pronounced inside, where Wofford outscored the Catamounts 46-34 in the paint. The Terriers also capitalized on mistakes, scoring 17 points off 11 Western Carolina turnovers, compared to just seven points off turnovers for the visitors.

Machowski, a 6-foot-3 guard from Berlin, Germany, anchored Wofford’s effort with his fourth double-double of the season, adding two blocks in 35 minutes. He was complemented by Cayden Vasko, who scored 18 points and dished out five assists, and Chace Watley, who added 16 points. Brendan Rigsbee provided a key spark off the bench with 10 points.

Western Carolina was led by a trio of double-figure scorers. Marcus Kell and Cord Stansberry each scored 13 points, while Julien Soumaoro added 12. Samuel Dada pulled down nine rebounds for the Catamounts, who won the offensive glass 11-3 but were hampered by cold shooting from beyond the arc, connecting on only 8 of 26 3-point attempts.

The Catamounts opened the game with energy, hitting three of their first four shots, including two 3-pointers from Soumaoro, to take an early 8-4 lead. However, Wofford’s consistent offensive execution, led by Vasko and Machowski, quickly erased the deficit. The game remained tight until the Terriers’ pivotal late-half run created the separation they would maintain throughout the second period.

Western Carolina made several pushes after halftime, closing to within 50-45 on a Marcus Kell layup with 15:46 to play and again at 59-54 on a Justin Johnson layup with 9:14 remaining. Each time, Wofford responded with timely baskets, often from Machowski or Watley, to stifle the rally. The Terriers sealed the game at the free-throw line, making 11 of 12 attempts overall, including four in the final 1:19.

The loss extends a difficult stretch for Western Carolina, which has now dropped three of its last four games. Wofford, meanwhile, continues to position itself near the top of the Southern Conference standings, having won three of its last four.

Western Carolina next hosts The Citadel on Wednesday night. Wofford hits the road for its next contest, facing Samford on Wednesday.