Barkley scores 22, East Tennessee State beats VMI 87-70

February 8, 2026 - 05:18

A dominant performance from Blake Barkley propelled East Tennessee State to an 87-70 road victory over the Virginia Military Institute on Saturday. Barkley led all scorers with 22 points, setting the tone for a Buccaneers offense that controlled the game from start to finish.

The Buccaneers established an early lead and maintained consistent pressure on both ends of the court. Their defensive effort successfully disrupted VMI's rhythm, creating transition opportunities that fueled their scoring. The team's balanced attack and efficient shooting proved too much for the Keydets to overcome, as ETSU steadily built and protected a double-digit advantage throughout the contest.

This result provides a significant momentum boost for East Tennessee State as they continue their conference schedule. For VMI, the loss highlights areas needing reinforcement as they look to rebound in their upcoming fixtures. The Buccaneers' cohesive team play, spearheaded by Barkley's standout scoring, was the definitive factor in this commanding win.