Senators shoot past Wallace State, win 72-55

HANCEVILLE, Ala. — Walters State was an unruly guest Saturday as they downed tournament host Wallace State 72-55 in the Wallace State Tournament.

Four Senators (6-4) finished the day in double figures and Anthony Jones recorded a double-double, putting in 16 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. It wasn't just Jones who won the battle on the glass. WSCC outrebounded the Lions 41-33 in the game and knocked down 15 offensive rebounds to Wallace State's 10.

The Senators came out hot on both ends of the floor, scoring the game's first eight points, while forcing turnovers and bad shots on Wallace State's end of the hardwood. The Lions' first points came on a three from Juwan Johnson, but Walters State just got right back to work, building a 23-5 lead with threes from Luiz Machado and Kobe Powell as well as buckets from Jones and Demarius Boyd.

It was midway through the first period before the Lions broke double digits on the scoreboard with a three from Markise Davis. A Machado three put WSCC up 16 with eight to go and while Wallace State did managed to chop into the lead at times, the Senators still took a 39-25 advantage into halftime.

The Lions played it closer in the second half, but the deficit was too much to overcome. WSCC never took its foot off the gas as Jones, Boyd, Sly Thompson and Machado continued to keep offensive pressure on for the final 20 minutes.

Boyd led the Senators with 18 points. Machado scored 15 and had seven rebounds. Powell scored six and added five assists and nine rebounds. Thmpson put in 12 points off the bench.

Wallace State got 11 points from Davis and 10 from Johnson.

NEXT UP

Walters State returns home to 'Z' Buda Gymnasium for a Monday night match up with Tennessee Wesleyan Junior Varsity. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m.