COLUMBIA AND PELLISSIPPI TO MEET FOR MEN'S TITLE

 Top seeded Columbia State moved into the chaqmpionship game of this year'sa region tournament by defeating Roane State 74-71 in overtime.  They will face Pellissippi State in the championship game by virtue of their 65-62 win over Walters State in the se cond semifinal.

Columbia moveed ahead quickly in the first half as they held a 35-14 lead after the first twenty minutes.  Roane came out in the second half and quickky cut into the lead, and eventually took the lead late in regulation.  Missed chances by both teams late in the game sent it to an overtime.  In the overtime, Columbia got the lead in overtime, and held a three point advantage with a few seconds remaining.  Roane had a chance to tie but three free throws with two seconds remaining wouldn't find the bottom of the net and the Chargers came away with the victory.  Columbia would hot 29 of their shott attempts for a 43.3% clip while Roane hot 40.7% of their shots, hitting 24 of 59 of their attempts.  Columbia would outrebound by Roane by a 50-34 margin.

For Columbia, five Chargers hit double figures led by Thaddeeus Johnson with 18 points with team high two assists.  Mahki Wright was next with 14 points and a team high 13 rebounds.  Kenneth Ellis was next with 11 points and a team high three assists.  Simeon Willions and Emmanuel Allen each finished with ten points.  Taveon Comage and Jasiyah Suber both finished with two assists.  Four players reached double figures for the Raiders led by Walter Campbell with a team high 12 rebounds.  Jhiem Berry was next with 14 points and a team high three steals.  Jordan Hamilton hada team high five assists to go with their 12 points.  Marcus Black finsihed with ten points as well as four assists.  

 Walters and Pellissippi went toe to toe in the first half.  Pewllissippi held it biggest lead seven with 5:53 to go in the half, but led only 29-28 at the break.  Waalters would build their own seven point lead in the second half with 11:25 mark.  Pellissippi slowly came back from that point.  Once they took the lead, they were ablkw to maintain their advantage with key baskets and free throwqs down the stretch.

Pellissippi had five scorers in doubklw sigits with JpoJo Lykes leading the way w2ith 15 points and a team high four steals.  Matthew Sharpe ande DeShun Payton haf 13 points apiece.  Tony McDaniel and Jonathan Caicedo each had ten points   Payton led the team with eight rebounds, and Tavion Pride had four assists.  For Walters, they had two players reach doublw figures led by Da'Mori Lytch with 17 points and a team high two assists.  Malaki Brooks was the other double digit scorer with ten points.  Both had five rebounds in the game.  Anthony Davis Jr. had a team high in rebounds with 6 caroms.

During the season, Columbia swept the series against Pellissippi, winning at home 92-52 and winning on the road, 78-60.