COLUMBIA, TN – Malaki Brooks hit two free throws with 12.9 seconds to go on Saturday against No. 23 Columbia State, and the Senators got two stops after to take a 61-60 win over the Chargers.
With the victory, Walters State improved to 17-8 overall and 11-5 in TCCAA play.
Aiden Goins led the way for Walters State in the scoring column, finishing with 20 points. Along with Goins, Da'Mori Lytch and Charvez Ambrose each added 11 points. Other scorers for Walters State were Brooks with seven, Alex Garcia with seven, Anthony Davis Jr. with three and Carter Metz with two.
Walters State used their defense to start the game, breaking out to a 17-8 lead nine minutes into the game after two Goins free throws, a Metz jumper and an Ambrose trey. Columbia found their footing and cut things to one at 21-20, but Garcia scored five quick ones, Goins hit a three and Ambrose hit two free throws to give Walters State a 31-24 lead at the break.
In the opening 20 minutes, Ambrose had eight points while Goins and Garcia added seven each. Lytch had five points, as well.
In the second, Columbia used a 9-0 run to lead 37-34 early. Walters State briefly took the lead back at 39-37 with a Lytch basket and Goins three and then, at 39-39, Walters State got back-to-back threes by Goins and an and-one by Ambrose to lead 48-39 with 10 minutes to go.
The Chargers would take the lead at 51-50 four minutes later and then led 54-52 before Brooks nailed a 3-pointer to give Walters State the lead back. Columbia State again stole the lead and went up 58-55 with two minutes left, but Walters State got an acrobatic shot by Goins and a Lytch basket to go up 59-58 with 55 seconds left.
Columbia scored on their next possession to briefly take a 60-59 lead, but Brooks was fouled driving to the hoop with 12.9 seconds to go. Brooks hit both free throws, and Walters State got a turnover on the Chargers next possession. Following a missed free throw, Columbia State missed a halfcourt shot at the buzzer and the Senators held on.
Up Next:
Walters State will play their final road game of the regular season on Wednesday, taking on Motlow State. Tip is set for 8:30 pm ET.