CHATTANOOGA, TN – Getting a win on the road in conference play is always a big deal, and that's exactly what No. 21 Walters State accomplished on Wednesday evening.
Taking on Chattanooga State, Walters State grabbed a 10-point lead with eight minutes to go and then held on for an 89-87 win over the Tigers.
With the victory, Walters State improved to 23-1 overall and 14-1 in TCCAA play.
"I thought we shared the ball well," Walters State coach Jerry Nichols said. "I thought we didn't shoot the ball as well as we have, but that's fine. We're on the road, and it's tough. Chatt is a good team."
It was a slow start in the game for the Senators, scoring just 14 points in the first 10 minutes of the game. However, the Senators scored 28 points in the final 10 minutes and led by two at the break.
A big reason for that scoring outburst came from Micah Simpson. Simpson hit four 3-pointers in the first half and finished the game with 17 points.
"He was huge," Nichols said. "When Micah is making shots, it's a great sight to see. He can do that in bunches. We really needed those three's in the first half."
Another boost for the Senators in the first half came from Jair Horton, who had seven points and a handful of rebounds in the opening 20 minutes. Horton finished the game with 11 points.
For Nichols, he's looking for that continued production from Horton in the final games of the regular season and in postseason play.
"We're going to need him," Nichols said. "We've needed him all year. He's our glue guy."
Along with Simpson and Horton, Ramondo Battle led the team with 19 points. Other scorers for the Senators included Greg Moore with 11, JR Jacobs with nine, Jamar Livingston with six, Malachi Hale with six, Charvez Ambrose with four, Jaylon Taylor with four and Carter Metz with two.
Walters State trailed Chattanooga State 17-11 at the 11 minute mark of the first half, before getting it going as Simpson knocked in back-to-back 3-pointers to tie the game. The Senators then took the lead on an and-one by Battle, and a Horton basket made it 22-17.
Chattanooga State took the lead back with six straight points, but Walters State got the lead again with a Horton basket and two Moore free throws.
The two teams eventually tied at 37 with a minute to go in the half, but Walters State got two free throws from Taylor, one from Jacobs and a basket by Battle. Chattanooga State hit a three late, but the Senators led 42-40 at the break.
In the second half, the two teams continued to have little separation. The game was tied at 49 and 51, but Walters State finally got a little separation with a three by Hale. Chattanooga State came back and retook the lead at 56-54, but Walters State immediately answered with an 11-0 run. That run started with a Battle basket that tied the game. Hale hit another three to give Walters State the lead, and Moore knocked in one to make it 62-56. Moore hit one more free and Battle hit two to end the run and make it 65-56.
The Tigers broke the run with four points, but Moore hit more free throws to get the lead back to eight. The lead grew to 12 soon after at 72-60 on an Ambrose basket and Battle bucket.
However, Chattanooga State would not go away. The Tigers eventually got the lead down to one with 2:30 to go at 81-80. Walters State got a much-needed free throw by Moore and a basket by Horton to up the lead back to four, but the Tigers answered with a three-point play.
But one was as close as Chattanooga State would get as the Senators hit free throws late to hold on for the win.
"I think we're resilient," Nichols said. "At the start of the season, nobody expected us to be 23-1. But the reality is that these guys are resilient and give me everything they've got every day and that's all I can ask for."
Up Next:
Walters State will be back in action on Saturday, hosting Volunteer State. Tip is set for 4 p.m.
Rob Harvey
Walters State Community College
Sports Information Director
Cell: (423) 779-8880
Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu
Website: www.ws.edu/athletics