ETSU Buccaneers Showcase Late-Game Resilience Ahead of VMI Matchup

The Buccaneers have repeatedly rallied from deficits to stay atop the conference standings this season.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 9:07pm

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The ETSU Buccaneers men's basketball team, riding a late-game resilience that has defined its season, heads north to face the VMI Keydets on Saturday afternoon. ETSU recently rallied from a 15-point second-half deficit to beat Furman 75-71 in overtime, with nearly half of the Buccaneers' conference games this season coming down to the final minute. The team has repeatedly found answers late to stay atop the standings.

Why it matters

ETSU's ability to mount comebacks and win close games has been a key factor in the team's success this season. The Buccaneers' resilience and character under pressure will be tested again as they face VMI, a team they previously defeated handily but that is now shorthanded due to injuries.

The details

In the win over Furman, ETSU redshirt sophomore forward Blake Barkley said the team maintains the same energy whether they are up or down by 20 points, and guard Jaylen Smith expressed confidence that the Buccaneers would turn things around once they realized they could. Head coach Brooks Savage praised the team's character, saying their response in tight moments reveals more than just their talent.

  • ETSU rallied from a 15-point second-half deficit to beat Furman 75-71 in overtime on Wednesday.
  • ETSU and VMI previously met earlier this season, with ETSU winning 81-67 at Freedom Hall.
  • Tipoff for Saturday's matchup is set for 1 p.m. in Lexington.

The players

Blake Barkley

A redshirt sophomore forward for the ETSU Buccaneers.

Jaylen Smith

A guard for the ETSU Buccaneers.

Brooks Savage

The head coach of the ETSU Buccaneers men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“We're down, but I don't feel like we're down. I feel like we constantly have the same energy if we're up 20 or we're down 20. We're just going to keep doing the same things.”

— Blake Barkley, Redshirt Sophomore Forward

“My main focus is, 'alright, are we going to turn it around?' Once we realize that we are, it's like, 'okay, bet.' Once we went into OT we already knew it was over with.”

— Jaylen Smith, Guard

“They got a great character, you know, it's character revealed. When you're down, sky's falling because we lost to Western Carolina, then we come home, chips are down and we respond again.”

— Brooks Savage, Head Coach

What’s next

ETSU will look to complete the season sweep of VMI when the two teams meet on Saturday afternoon in Lexington.

The takeaway

ETSU's ability to mount late-game comebacks and win close games has been a defining characteristic of their successful season so far. The Buccaneers' resilience and composure under pressure will be put to the test again as they face a shorthanded VMI team, but their track record suggests they will be up to the challenge.