William & Mary Hosts Charleston in a High-Scoring Showdown

Williamsburg, VA – After suffering a tough loss in their last game, the William & Mary Tribe looked to turn things around against the Charleston Cougars on their home court at Kaplan Arena. As the game kicked off at 8:00 p.m. ET, the Tribe held a narrow lead of 41-39 over the Cougars at the end of the first quarter.

William & Mary entered this contest with some added fire, eager to bounce back from a disheartening 96-55 defeat by Campbell just days prior. This performance marked the Tribe’s lowest-scoring game of the season, but they had bright spots despite the score, with Matteus Case scoring 17 points and Finn Lally adding 10 points and boasting an impressive 66.7% field goal percentage, his best since November 2024.

On the other side, Charleston came into the game riding some momentum after an 81-74 victory over Stony Brook. AJ Smith played a stellar game, leading the Cougars with 25 points while going 10 for 17 from the field. His teammate Derrin Boyd also contributed significantly with 25 points of his own, showcasing the balanced offensive attack that has helped the Cougars secure nine wins in their last eleven games.

Both teams are known for their ability to score, with William & Mary averaging 80.3 points per game and Charleston close behind at 78.6 points. This matchup was expected to be a shootout, and the betting line reflected that, with Charleston entering as a 2-point favorite. The over/under was set at a lofty 165.5 points.

Previously, William & Mary fell short against Charleston in their last matchup in February 2024, losing 65-57. With their home crowd behind them, the Tribe aimed to flip the script in this rematch. As the game progressed, fans remained eager to see if the Tribe could secure the victory and improve on their 13-8 record, while Charleston continued to build on their impressive 16-5 season.