CHATTANOOGA, TN – Walters State battled back-and-forth with Chattanooga State for much of Wednesday evening's contest before pulling ahead late and holding on for an 84-81 victory.
With the win, Walters State improves to 6-3 on the year and are 5-3 in conference play.
As they have been for much of the season, the Senators were led in the game by the trio of De'Marius Boyd, Kajuan Hale and Tylar Haynes. Boyd led the team with 29 points on 10-15 shooting and had 11 rebounds. It was his first double-double of the season.
Along with Boyd, Haynes had 17 points and eight rebounds while Hale had 13 points. Hale and Boyd combined for just one turnover.
Off the bench, Sly Thompson had eight points and five steals.
It was a quick start for the Senators who came out firing as Boyd and Hale both hit 3-pointers in the first minute. Hale made a free throw as well, and it was 7-0 just like that. The lead got to 16-5 after a Boyd layup, but Chattanooga State slowly played themselves back into the game.
Walters State managed to get the lead back to double digits with 13 minutes to go on a Haynes shot, but the Tigers battled and took the lead with six minutes to go in the half. Hale tied the game at 30 with a jumper, but the Tigers closed the half strong and led by two at the break.
Once again, it was the Senators who came out strong to start the second half as Gum Majek and Tylar Haynes each made shots to put Walters State back in front. However, the Tigers wouldn't go away and surged into the lead at 56-51. Majek calmed the storm with a basket and Haynes hit a shot to make it a one-point game before Chattanooga State rallied again and went up 64-59.
From there, it was the Thompson show as he hit a 3-pointer and layup to tie the game at 64 before Boyd gave the Senators the lead with a layup. The two teams battled as Chattanooga State could never get their lead above five. With just six minutes to go, the Senators finally charged back into the lead on a Haynes layup.
Chattanooga State put together one final charge and tied the game at 79 with two minutes to go. But Boyd hit a jumper with 1:20 left that proved to be the game winner. Walters State made their free throws down the stretch for the victory.
UP NEXT:
Walters State will be back in action on Saturday, taking on Motlow State. That game tips at 4 p.m. The two teams have split the first two games between each other.
Rob Harvey
Walters State Community College
Sports Information Director
Cell: (423) 779-8880
Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu
Website: www.ws.edu/athletics