CHARLESTON, S.C. (Interstat) — In a game that defied pregame projections and required an extra five minutes to decide, The Citadel Bulldogs snapped a three-game losing streak with a 79-77 overtime victory over the Western Carolina Catamounts in a Southern Conference men’s basketball clash Saturday at McAlister Field House.

The outcome was a stark reversal of fortune, as Western Carolina entered as a substantial favorite and held a seven-point halftime lead. The Catamounts, however, could not sustain their early offensive efficiency, while the Bulldogs clawed back behind a decisive advantage at the free-throw line and key defensive stops in the extra period.

The most critical sequence unfolded in the final seconds of overtime. With The Citadel leading 77-75, Western Carolina’s Cord Stansberry was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 45 seconds remaining. He made only one of the three free throws, leaving the Catamounts down by one. After a defensive stop, Western Carolina had a chance to take the lead, but Stansberry missed a 3-pointer with seven seconds left.

The Citadel’s Sola Adebisi secured the defensive rebound and was immediately fouled. The junior forward, who had struggled at the line earlier, calmly sank both free throws with five seconds on the clock to extend the lead to 79-76. Western Carolina’s CJ Hyland banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer, but it only served to provide the final two-point margin.

The game was a tale of contrasting strengths. Western Carolina built its early lead through volume shooting, attempting 10 more field goals than The Citadel. The Catamounts shot 42.6% from the floor but were hampered by a 30% performance from 3-point range and a 62.5% clip from the free-throw line.

The Citadel countered with remarkable efficiency and discipline. Despite making five fewer field goals, the Bulldogs attempted 12 more free throws and converted them at an 82.1% rate. They also won the turnover battle, committing 11 to Western Carolina’s seven, and posted a slightly better offensive rating of 110.8 to the Catamounts’ 107.5.

Carter Kingsbury led all scorers for The Citadel, finishing with 22 points, six rebounds and two assists. His backcourt mate, Braxton Williams, added 21 points and five rebounds. Adebisi was a force inside, narrowly missing a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds while also contributing a key block.

Western Carolina was led by the high-scoring duo of Marcus Kell and Cord Stansberry, who combined for 47 points. Kell, a forward from Fort Mill, South Carolina, scored 24 points, while Stansberry, a guard from Bermuda Dunes, California, added 23. The Catamounts’ 7-foot center, Abdulai Fanta Kabba, provided eight points, six rebounds and two steals off the bench.

The first half belonged to Western Carolina, which used an early 9-0 run and shot 48.5% from the field to take a 40-33 lead into the break. The Citadel chipped away throughout the second half, finally drawing even and forcing overtime when a last-second shot by Western Carolina’s Julien Soumaoro missed the mark, leaving the score tied at 71.

In the overtime period, the Bulldogs never trailed after a Carter Kingsbury jumper made it 73-71. Western Carolina stayed within one possession but could never regain the lead, ultimately undone by missed free throws and the clutch composure of Adebisi at the line.

The victory improved The Citadel to 4-13 overall. Western Carolina fell to 5-10. Both teams continue Southern Conference play next week, with The Citadel traveling to UNC Greensboro and Western Carolina hosting East Tennessee State.

The announced attendance at McAlister Field House was 1,201.