COLUMBIA, TN – Walters State could not get a game-winning shot to fall in regulation on Saturday evening against Columbia State and were outscored by two in overtime as the Chargers snuck past with an 82-80 win.
Ty Hurst hit a 3-pointer in OT with time winding down to cut the lead to two but it was too little, too late for the Senators.
With the loss, Walters State fell to 16-8 overall and 8-4 in TCCAA play.
Riley Cooper led the way in the scoring column for Walters State with 23 points on 8-10 shooting. Along with Cooper, Michael Houge recorded his 10th straight double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds.
Other contributors for Walters State were Hurst with 13 points and four assists, Elijah Davis with 10 points, four assists and four rebounds, Micah Simpson with 10 points and Wade Pelfrey with three points.
As a team, the Senators shot 41% from the field and collected 21 rebounds. Defensively, Walters State held Columbia to 38% from the field.
It was a strong start for Walters State as they broke out to a 10-point lead at the half at 34-24. Cooper had nine points in the half and was a perfect 4-4 from the field. Houge added eight points while Simpson hit two 3-pointers and had six points.
In the second half, Walters State held onto a comfortable lead until the 5:48 mark in the game when a 3-pointer by Columbia cut it to four. Columbia State then tied the game at 58, but Davis made a jumper and Houge hit two free throws to make it a four-point game.
Columbia State responded with a 3-pointer, but Houge scored again and was fouled, converting the free throw as well to make it 65-61. The Chargers again hit a 3-pointer and then took the lead at 66-65 with 1:59 left. However, it was Walters State's time to answer with a three as Hurst drilled one with 53 seconds remaining to make it 68-66 in favor of the Senators.
Columbia eventually tied the game with 35 seconds to go before the Senators held for the final shot. Houge got a look but the shot was off, sending the game to overtime.
In overtime, the two teams traded baskets until the Chargers made a free throw and 3-pointer to give them a 76-72 lead. Davis cut the lead to one with 44 seconds to go, converting an old-fashioned 3-point play, but the Chargers made a layup to extend the lead back to three.
The two teams then traded two free throws before the Chargers hit two more with seven seconds left to make it 82-77. Hurst quickly came down the court and drilled a 3-pointer, but the horn sounded and the Chargers held on.
Up Next:
Walters State will be back in action on Wednesday as they host Motlow State. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m.
Rob Harvey
Walters State Community College
Sports Information Director
Cell: (423) 779-8880
Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu
Website: www.ws.edu/athletics