Senators soar in second half on way to 81-63 win over Cleveland State

MORRISTOWN, TN – The second half has been very good to Walters State this season.

On Wednesday, it was more of the same.

Trailing by five points at the half, the Senators outscored Cleveland State by 23 points in the second half on their way to an 81-63 win. 

With the win, Walters State improved to 7-0 on the season and 2-0 in TCCAA play.

"I think the layover had a little effect on the guys but at the same time everybody is going through the same thing," Walters State coach Jerry Nichols said. "It's good to get a conference win, but I think we could have played better. I am happy for the win but to be an elite team, we have to just understand what it takes." 

Jamar Livingston once again led the way for the Senators with 21 points in the game, 17 in the second half, on 7-11 shooting. Livingston had seven rebounds, as well and is now averaging 15 points and five rebounds per game. 

More importantly though, Livingston was even-keeled on the court at all times during a game where emotions ran high at times. 

"He's definitely an even-keeled player," Nichols said. "He's a super mature player for his age. I just think that he's going to get better and better. I thought he played well in the second half. For him, it's just shoot the ball. He's got such a pretty shot. He scores effortless and is an elite scorer." 

Along with Livingston, Charvez Ambrose scored eight points and had three assists while playing 10 important minutes in the second half that seemed to jumpstart the Senators at the point guard position. 

"I thought Charvez's minutes were great," Nichols said. "He plays everywhere and he made some plays. I thought Malachi (Hale) played well on the defensive end, as well." 

Other contributors for Walters State were Micah Simpson with 19 points, five 3-pointers, five rebounds and four assists, JR Jacobs with seven points, eight rebounds and seven assists, Greg Moore with six points, Jair Horton with five points and three offensive rebounds, Ramondo Battle with four points, Malachi Hale with three points, Jaylon Taylor with three points, Jaylen Wharton with two points and seven rebounds, Carter Metz with two points and Chi Shannon with one point. 

As a team, the Senators shot 41% from the field and had 37 rebounds. Walters State forced 20 turnovers and held Cleveland State to 38% from the field. 

Things did not start well for Walters State as they scored the first basket but then gave up 12 straight points. The Senators called timeout and regrouped, immediately answering back as Metz scored, Simpson hit a 3-pointer and Hale hit a 3-pointer to make it 12-10. 

Walters State would tie the game at 12 on two free throws by Moore and then took the lead on a LIvingston layup. 

"That's always good," Nichols said. "During that stretch, I subbed all five. To be able to do that and have guys come in and give us some energy and pop, that's what I built this team on. I am super excited to see that."

From there, the two teams battled back and forth until Cleveland State got up 24-16. Walters State got buckets by Jacobs and Battle to respond and then, down 27-20, Simpson hit back-to-back 3-pointers to make it a one-point game. The lead would stay there until Cleveland State scored late to lead 37-32 at the break. 

However, in the second half it was all Walters State. Jacobs converted an and-one to start to cut the lead to two before Livingston tied the game at 37 with a layup. Cleveland State scored three straight but Wharton hit a free throw and Simpson drilled a 3-pointer for the lead. Ambrose then hit a 3-pointer and suddenly Walters State led, 44-40.

Walters State continued to add to the lead as Livingston hit back-to-back leads to make it 50-42. The Senators would hold that lead and then set the tone for the rest of the game as Jacobs got an offensive rebound and fed to Battle for an and-one. Battle missed the free throw, but Horton got the offensive board and was fouled. Horton made the first free throw but missed the second. However, Battle grabbed another offensive board and fed to Ambrose who was fouled again. 

Ambrose hit one free throw and it was 56-46. 

"We always talk about toughness," Nichols said. "I challenged our toughness at the half. We always preach free throw rebound because you just never know. Give us an extra possession by just playing hard. I thought during that stretch we broke their back a little bit because they saw how tough we were."

From that moment, the game was in hand for Walters State as they outscored Cleveland State 49-26 on their way to the win. Livingston had 17 points in the second half, while Simpson added seven. The Senators shot 49% from the field in the final 20 minutes and made six 3-pointers. 

Up Next:

Walters State will be back in action on Saturday on the road against Columbia State. Tip is set for 5 p.m. ET.

"It's going to take us to be tough," Nichols said. "Columbia is a tough team. They press a lot and are more physical than any team we have faced so far. It's going to take a lot of toughness for us to go down there and play. I am going to try and get us ready to go compete." 

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics