HUTCHINSON, KS – 17th-seeded Walters State saw their extremely successful 2023-24 season come to an end on Monday afternoon.
Taking on No. 1 seeded Barton in the NJCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen, the Senators fell behind by double-digits late in the first half and could never recover as Barton went on for an 83-68 win.
With the loss, Walters State closed the season at 29-3. It was the second-most wins in program history. The Senators were TCCAA and Region VII Champions and won an NJCAA Tournament game for the first time in 14 years.
Ramondo Battle led the way for Walters State with 17 points and four rebounds. Battle scored 43 points in two NJCAA Tournament games.
Along with Battle, Malachi Hale made four 3-pointers and had 15 points. Other contributors were Micah Simpson with eight points, four rebounds and three steals, Jamar Livingston with seven points and six rebounds, Chi Shannon with six points, Greg Moore with six points, JR Jacobs with four points and five assists, Carter Metz with four points and four assists, Jair Horton with one point, Charvez Ambrose with three rebounds and Jaylon Taylor with two rebounds.
Walters State shot 20-58 from the field and were 11-37 from the 3-point line. The Senators defense forced 15 Barton turnovers and scored 16 points off them.
Barton scored the first five points of the game, but Battle hit a three and Jacobs knocked in two free throws to tie the game. Barton hit a free throw to retake the lead, but Battle hit another three to put the Senators on top at 8-6.
The two teams tied at eight, 10 and 12 before Barton made a free throw to go up 13-12. However, Hale hit his first 3-pointer of the game to jump ahead 15-13. Unfortunately for the Senators, Barton scored the next 12 points and took a 10-point lead.
Simpson broke the run with two free throws, and Battle hit a shot to make it 25-19 with 4:36 to go in the half. After a Barton made jumper, Hale hit another three to cut it to five. The Senators got the lead down to three at 29-26 after a Shannon layup and Simpson free throws, but Barton closed strong and led 42-30 at the half.
In the second half, Simpson knocked in a three to get the lead down to single digits but Barton responded with their own three. That was the theme of the second half, as Battle hit two threes and Hale knocked in a trey over the next few minutes but Barton continued to answer and lead by double digits.
The closest the Senators would get the rest of the way was 12 after a Hale free throw with 6:17 left. From there, Barton went on for the win.
Rob Harvey
Walters State Community College
Sports Information Director
Cell: (423) 779-8880
Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu
Website: www.ws.edu/athletics