Senators prevail in overtime over Jackson State, 79-70

JACKSON, TN – Walters State overcame a nine-point deficit in the final minutes of regulation on Saturday evening against Jackson State, and then exploded in overtime on their way to a 79-70 win over the Green Jays.

With the victory, the Senators improved to 10-6 overall and 5-3 in TCCAA play. 

The Senators trailed 66-57 with two minutes to go in regulation, but Charvez Ambrose made two technical free throws and Da'Mori Lytch hit one more to make it 66-60. Walters State then got a steal by Malaki Brooks, who hit a layup right after to cut the lead to 66-62 with a minute to go. 

Jackson State missed a shot on their next possession, and Ambrose was fouled on the other end with 33 seconds to go. Ambrose again hit both free throws, and it was 66-64. Walters State fouled on the following possession, but Jackson State missed the front end of a one-and-one. The Senators grabbed the rebound, and Brooks drove in the lane, finding Lytch for a ferocious dunk with 12 seconds to go. Lytch was fouled in the process but missed the free throw. 

Jackson had one final shot in regulation but it was off, sending the game to overtime. 

In overtime, Jackson scored first on a 3-pointer, but Lytch scored to cut it to one. Alex Garcia gave Walters State the lead with a step-back 3-pointer that made it 71-69, and it was 73-69 after a Lytch bucket. The Senators got a steal on the other end, and Anthony Davis Jr. converted a 3-point play to make it 76-69. Jackson scored one final point, but Brooks drilled a three that gave Walters State the 79-70 win. 

Lytch led the way for Walters State with a season-high 26 points, while Brooks added 15. Other scorers for Walters State were Garcia with eight, Aiden Goins with eight, Elijah Clinton with seven, Ambrose with six, Davis Jr. with six and Carter Metz with three. 

In the first half, the Senators led 27-24 after eight different Walters State players scored. Lytch led the way with nine points, while Clinton and Metz each added five. 

The second half saw Jackson State lead throughout, but Walters State completed the late comeback and grabbed the overtime win.

Up Next:

Walters State will be back in action on Wednesday, hosting Columbia State at 7:30 pm.