ETSU defeats VMI 81-67
ETSU Dominates at Home, Wins Conference Game Against VMI
The ETSU Buccaneers proved why they're one of the top teams in the conference, defeating the visiting VMI Keydets 81-67 on Thursday night at Freedom Hall (TN). The win marked a significant statement for the Buccaneers, who improved their chances of making a deep run in the postseason.
The game was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm early. However, as halftime approached, ETSU began to gain momentum, outscoring VMI 41-30 to take a 10-point lead into the break. The Buccaneers' offense continued to click in the second half, with Cam Morris III leading the charge.
Morris III, who finished with 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, was nearly unstoppable at times. His hot shooting from beyond the arc (8-20) helped ETSU maintain a comfortable lead throughout the game. Brian Taylor II chipped in with 7 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds, providing another scoring punch for the Buccaneers.
VMI's TJ Johnson put up a valiant effort, scoring 30 points on 6-10 three-point shooting (52.9% FG) and grabbing 9 rebounds. However, his efforts were not enough to overcome the ETSU defense, which held VMI to just 40% shooting (37.0% FG).
The game's final margin was 14 points, with ETSU maintaining a 19-point lead at one point in the fourth quarter. The Buccaneers' victory marked their largest lead of the night and showcased their ability to take control of games when necessary.
In terms of advanced statistics, ETSU outperformed VMI in several key categories, including eFG% (63.5% vs. 42.4%) and True Shooting% (67.1% vs. 47.3%). The Buccaneers also outrebounded VMI by 4 on the offensive end and held them to just 9 turnovers compared to VMI's 6.
The win improves ETSU's chances in the conference standings, while VMI's loss drops them further behind their rivals. With the game type being a crucial conference matchup, this victory will likely have significant implications for both teams as they move forward in the season.