Senators celebrate Sophomore Day with 64-point win over Volunteer State

MORRISTOWN, TN – Micah Simpson and Greg Moore had Sophomore Day's they won't be forgetting anytime soon.

The duo combined for 17 3-pointers and 60 points on Saturday, as No. 21 Walters State went on for a 138-74 victory over Volunteer State.

With the win, Walters State improved to 24-1 overall and 15-1 in TCCAA play. The Senators have won 12 games in a row.

"It's always good to see us making shots," Walters State coach Jerry Nichols said. "Our ability to make shots has helped us all year. We live and die by the trey ball. Tonight, we shot it well and when we're doing that, it's hard to beat us." 

Simpson finished the game with 10 3-pointers and 33 points, while Moore had seven 3-pointers and 27 points. Ramondo Battle had 22 points, and Walters State hit 22 3-pointers in the game.

"They're both big time shooters," Nichols said of Simpson and Moore. "We have shooters all across the board. All of us can do it. Ramondo got every single rebound tonight, too. We're going to need that from him. We shared the ball really well, as well." 

Before Saturday's game, Nichols honored his sophomore class. Nichols said this class has been special to him, being his first class and the way they have adapted so well to his expectations and coaching style. 

"To be my first year and have a season like we're having, this group has set the standard of what I expect," Nichols said. "We're living off Coach Carlyle and what he's done. We're just trying to live up to this standard." 

Along with the trio of Simpson, Moore and Battle, Jamar Livingston had 11 points. Other scorers for Walters State were Malachi Hale with nine, Jaylon Taylor with eight, Charvez Ambrose with seven, Chi Shannon with six, Jair Horton with five, JR Jacobs with five and Carter Metz with five. 

Simpson set the tone from the start in the game, with five 3-pointers in the opening 20 minutes. Simpson had 18 in the half, while Battle had 16. Walters State, as a team, hit 16-18 free throws in the first half and led 71-30 at the break.

In the second half, Moore got in on the fun with 24 points in the final 20 minutes. 18 of them came off of six 3-pointers. Simpson hit five more 3-pointers, including four in a row in a minute span, and had 15 more points in the final 20 minutes. 10 players scored in the second half for Walters State, as they totaled 67 more points and cruised to the lopsided win.

Up Next:

Walters State will be back in action on Wednesday, at home against Roane State. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m. 

"Roane State is a really good team," Nichols said. "We had a battle down there. It's important that we take care of our business and protect home. I look forward to an epic battle again with them because I think they're a really, really good team." 

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics