MORRISTOWN, TN – Walters State overcame a slow first half Saturday evening against Experience Academy, putting up 64 points in the second half as they cruised to a 106-90 victory to open the season.  

With the win, the Senators moved to 1-0 on the year.  

"We sure didn't play the way I hoped we would play," Walters State coach Bill Carlyle said. "I thought we had a lot of nerves early. We were missing shots that we never miss. But a win is a win and we looked better in the second half on the offensive side of the ball. We just have to get better, and we will."  

Walters State was led in the game by Sully Fox, who scored 20 points and went a perfect 9-of-9 from the field in his debut.  

"I thought Sully really gave us a lift," Carlyle said. "He played really well. He needs to get in shape. But he did score and did some good things."  

Along with Fox, De'Marius Boyd had 20 points while Tylar Haynes recorded a double-double in his debut with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Gum Majek had 11 rebounds as well while Kajuan Hale had 10 points and six assists.  

While Carlyle noted that he felt his team was nervous and has plenty to improve on, he did take away positives from the game.  

"All in all, we were eager, and we tried hard," Carlyle said. "We definitely have kids that want to play. A win is a win and I hope that gets some of the nerves out."  

As is common for the first game of the season, the Senators came out nervous to start, missing some easy shots as Experience staked out to an early lead. Haynes scored the first bucket of the year for the Senators to get them going. Then, Jermize Weddle hit back-to-back 3s to tie the game at 12 seven minutes into the game.  

After that, it was Fox who took over on the offensive side of the ball, scoring seven straight as the two teams traded leads. The Senators took their first lead of the game after Fox hit a free throw to make it 15-14. 

However, Experience bounced back and took a seven-point lead before Carlyle subbed the starters back in and the tide began to change. With those five in, the Senators closed the half on a 23-10 run, taking a 42-36 lead into the break. Fox led all scorers at the half with 11 while Boyd had 10.  

Whether it was a talk from Carlyle or something else, the Senators came out in the second half looking like a new team. Riek Riek opened the half with back-to-back buckets and then Kailon-Benton Hamilton hit back-to-back treys to open the lead to 14.  

With the large lead, Walters State would never relinquish it as the Senators had a few different players step up. After going scoreless in the first half, Hale had 10 points in the second, while Haynes and Boyd had the same. Fox continued his scoring with seven in the second half while Gary Smith Jr. added six, including a nice dunk off a feed on the baseline. 

Hale and Boyd also had two steals apiece in the half, with three of those coming on back-to-back-to-back possessions that really opened the game up. Boyd capped off the game with a layup right before the horn. 

UP NEXT: 

Walters State will have a short break as they return to action on Wednesday for their first conference game of the season. The Senators will take on Chattanooga State at home at 7:30 p.m.  A reminder, fans will not be allowed at games for the remainder of the month. Make sure to follow all Walters State social media accounts for news and updates. 

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics