CLEVELAND, TN – Walters State could not overcome a nine-point halftime deficit Wednesday night, falling to Cleveland State 80-70.
With the loss, the Senators fall to 3-1 on the season and 2-1 in TCCAA play. Cleveland State moves to 1-1 on the year and 1-1 in TCCAA play.
De'Marius Boyd led all scorers for the Senators with 24 points to go along with three assists. Kajuan Hale added 17 points and five assists while Deovaunta Williams had 15. Tylar Haynes led the team with eight rebounds.
As a team, the Senators shot 41.7% from the field, making 25-of-60 shots. They were 35.7% from the 3-point line and 75% from the free throw line, making 15-of-20 from the charity stripe.
Haynes got the scoring going in the contest with two free throws and both teams were off and running. The Senators built up a six-point lead after Sly Thompson hit a 3-pointer, but Cleveland State would answer back, taking a 16-15 lead with 11:43 left in the first half that they would never relinquish.
The Cougars got the lead to 11 just before the half, but Hale hit a jump shot with 34 seconds to make it 39-30 going into the locker room. Boyd had 13 points at the half while Hale added seven.
Whether it was a spirited halftime speech from coach Bill Carlyle or something else, the Senators began the second half on a tear, immediately cutting the lead to three points after a Haynes layup, Gum Majek layup and Williams layup.
However, Cleveland State quickly broke out of their slump and had the lead back to 10 with 13:16 to play. The lead would hover at 10 for the next few minutes until the Senators tried to make another push when Hale converted an and-one and Williams made two free throws to make it a five-point game.
But that would be the closest the Senators would come as Cleveland State kept answering the bell every time Walters State would try and make a run. Williams had 13 in the second half while Boyd had 11 and Hale added 10.
UP NEXT:
Walters State will have a week off before returning to their home floor next Wednesday, Feb. 10, against Roane State. Tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Rob Harvey
Walters State Community College
Sports Information Director
Cell: (423) 779-8880
Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu
Website: www.ws.edu/athletics