HARRIMAN, TN – Walters State overcame multiple deficits on Wednesday evening at Roane State but could not make the shot to get them across the finish line, falling 84-80 in overtime to the Raiders.
With the loss, the Senators fell to 1-4 on the season and 0-2 in TCCAA play.
Aiden Goins led the way for Walters State with 21 points while Malakai Brooks added 11 and Da'Mori Lytch finished with 12. Other scorers for Walters State were Charvez Ambrose with nine points, Alex Garcia with eight points, Stevlen Morris with six points, Anthony Davis Jr. with four points, Quin'Darius Rumph with four points, Elijah Clinton with three points and Carter Metz with two points.
The Senators trailed 14-9 early but back-to-back 3-pointers by Brooks and Garcia gave Walters State the lead. Roane took the lead back at 17-15, but Rumph scored, Brooks scored and Morris scored to give the Senators a 21-17 advantage with 11:50 to go in the half.
Roane State tied the game back up at 23, but a three by Garcia and two free throws from Metz got the lead to five. Roane State tied the game again with five straight, but Goins scored to make it 30-28 with 5:33 left in the half. The two teams battled from there, with Roane State up 39-37 with one second left. However, Lytch converted an and-one to give Walters State a 40-39 lead at the break.
The second half saw Roane State score the first 10 points to go up 49-40. The Raider lead was 52-44 later, but Walters State chipped away with a basket from Brooks, a three by Clinton and two free throws by Rumph that made it a three-point game.
Roane State answered with seven straight to go up 61-51 with 10 minutes left, but Walters State rallied off 12 straight to take the lead back. Ambrose started the run with an and-one, and Lytch followed suit with his own 3-point play. After Ambrose hit two more free throw, Goins scored four quick ones to give the Senators a 63-61 lead with 7:42 left.
The two teams remained close throughout, but Walters State got some breathing room with 2:24 left as Goins converted a 3-point play to put the Senators up 74-70. However, Roane scored the final four points of regulation and sent the game to overtime.
In overtime, Roane State led 80-75 with two minutes to go. Brooks got the lead down to two with a three and, after Roane hit a free throw, Morris hit a free throw back. Morris missed the second free throw, but Lytch was fouled on the boxout and went to the line. Lytch got the lead down to one with a free throw of his own.
The Senators got a stop after the free throws and had a shot for the win with seconds to go. But, the shot fell short and Roane State went on for the win.
Up Next:
Walters State will be back in action next Wednesday, hosting Cleveland State. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m.
