Team effort gives Walters State hard fought win over Columbia State

COLUMBIA, TN – When Walters State coach Jerry Nichols built his 2023-24 team, he did so with depth in mind.

On Saturday, that depth was on full display.

Taking on a tough Columbia State team, Walters State had 10 different players score as they shook off a slow start on their way to a 75-67 win.

With the win, Walters State improved to 8-0 overall and 3-0 in TCCAA play. 

JR Jacobs led the way in the points column with 15 points, along with seven rebounds and three assists. Along with Jacobs, Greg Moore had 13 points.

Other contributors for the Senators included Malachi Hale with eight points, Carter Metz with seven points and four rebounds, Ramondo Battle with seven points and three rebounds, Micah Simpson with six points, Charvez Ambrose with five points, five assists and four rebounds, Jaylen Wharton with five points and four rebounds, Jamar Livingston with five points and three rebounds and Jair Horton with four points and four rebounds. 

Defensively, the Senators as a team forced Columbia State to shoot just 35.7% from the field and created 16 turnovers. 

Things didn't start well for Walters State as Columbia State led 23-12 with eight minutes to go in the half. The lead would stay at 11 for the next four minutes, but Walters State finally began chipping away as Wharton converted an and-one and Ambrose made a layup to cut the lead to 26-19. 

Columbia got a dunk with less than a minute left to bump the lead back to nine, but Simpson scored four straight to end the half and make it 28-23. 

In the second half, Simpson scored again to make it a three-point game. Columbia would rally off six straight after to make it 34-25, but Moore hit a three and Metz made a jumper. Columbia scored after to make it 36-30, but Hale hit a three and two free throws to cut the lead to one. 

Columbia made one free throw after, but Metz tied the game with a jump shot. The Senators would finally take the lead on two Ambrose free throws, but Columbia hit three free throws to take a one-point lead.

However, that would be the last time Columbia State would lead as Metz threw in a three and Ambrose scored to make it 44-40 in favor of the Senators. The run would continue as Hale was fouled on a three and made all three free throws. 

The two teams traded baskets from there until Columbia scored seven quick points to tie the game at 49. Wharton and Jacobs combined to hit three free throws to retake the lead, and Moore scored a layup to make it 54-51. 

Columbia continued to take advantage from the free throw line with two more free throws after, but Livingston drained a 3-pointer to make it 57-53. Jacobs then scored four straight to make it an eight-point game with four minutes to go. 

From there, Walters State held a comfortable lead and when Jacobs drained a 3-pointer to make it an 11-point game with two minutes to go, the Senators had claimed their eighth straight win. 

Up Next:

Walters State will be back in action on Saturday as they travel to take on Spartanburg Methodist. Tip is set for 4 p.m. The Senators won the earlier contest this season, 85-68. 

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics