Braxton Williams set new personal records with 26 points and 11 rebounds for The Citadel Bulldogs during their Senior Day game, but the team lost to Chattanooga 78-75 at McAlister Field House. The defeat brought The Citadel’s season record to 9-20 overall and 6-10 in the Southern Conference.
Chattanooga built a significant lead in the first half, going into halftime ahead 50-29 after making 10 of their 17 three-point attempts. The Citadel managed five three-pointers and grabbed ten offensive rebounds before the break but trailed by a wide margin.
In the second half, Chattanooga increased its advantage before The Citadel mounted a response. Both teams scored 43 points each over the final twenty minutes. Williams led all scorers for The Citadel with his career-best performance, including five three-pointers. Christian Moore contributed 16 points and eight rebounds, hitting three shots from beyond the arc—his twentieth game this season with multiple three-pointers. Logan Applegate added nine points on three threes and shared the team lead in assists with Carter Kingsbury at four apiece. As a team, The Citadel committed nine turnovers and collected 21 offensive rebounds.
Chattanooga had six players score in double figures and finished with a total of fourteen made three-pointers out of twenty-nine attempts. Brennan Watkins and Jordan Frison led Chattanooga with sixteen points each.
After the game, head coach Ed Conroy commented: “We know they are a well-coached offensive team, but we came out and tried to shoot our way to success instead of playing the way we need to play. In the second half, we got to the free-throw line and got some interior touches, and that is the way we need to play. We did not start the game the right way. We settled, held the ball too much, and forced shots instead of moving it and keeping each other in rhythm. When you get down big and miss shots, it can snowball. I thought Braxton stayed positive and impacted the game in different ways. We have to carry that mindset forward and be ready for these final in-state rivalry games.”
The Bulldogs will prepare for their remaining regular-season matchups against conference rivals.
For more information about The Citadel basketball program, updates are available on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram @CitadelHoops as well as online at CitadelSports.com.
