Simpson scores 21 as Senators get huge win over Columbia State

MORRISTOWN, TN – Micah Simpson's birthday is on Sunday, but on Saturday he threw himself a birthday party. 

Taking on Columbia State, Simpson scored 21 points and capped it off with a ferocious dunk as Walters State got past the Chargers, 62-57. 

With the win, Walters State improved to 3-4 overall and 1-2 in TCCAA play. 

"We're tickled to death to win; they're one of the better teams in the league," Walters State coach Bill Carlyle said. "We could very well be undefeated if I could get the guys to do what we're trying to get them to do. 

"Micah can play. He's getting better every day. I knew that when we got him. I'm really glad to have him." 

Simpson had just five points in the first half but exploded in the second with 16 points. He had three 3-pointers and was 5-6 from the free throw line. 

Along with Simpson, Michael Houge had 15 points while Elijah Davis added nine. Other scorers for Walters State were Riley Cooper with six, Ty Hurst with five, Destin Barker with four and Saevion Brown with two. 

The Senators scored the first four points of the game as Cooper scored and Davis scored. Columbia quickly tied the game up and the two teams remained deadlocked until Columbia State took a 22-18 lead with four minutes to go in the half.

Walters State answered back with a 3-pointer by Simpson to cut it to one and then, following a free throw by the Chargers, Houge tied it at 23. Columbia answered with a three before Simpson hit a layup that made it 27-25 at the break.

In the second half, it was all Walters State as the Senators quickly took the lead with 17:17 to go on a three by Simpson and never relinquished it. Following Simpson's three that made it 31-29, Houge hit a three of his own. 

Later in the half, Columbia made a run to cut the lead to 36-35 but Cooper scored and Davis completed a 3-point play to make it 41-35. Davis then hit two more free throws to get the lead to eight before a Houge bucket made it a 10-point game. 

The run ended there as Columbia scored, but Simpson followed it up with a 3-pointer. The lead hovered around there before Columbia made a late challenge at 58-54 with a minute to go. Needing a stop, the Senators got one on a steal that ended up in Simpson's hand. Simpson rose up on the break and slammed one home to cap the win.

Up Next:

Walters State will be back in action on Monday as they take on Experience Academy at home. Tip is set for 6 p.m. 

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics