Senators come back to win 90-85 over Southwest Tennessee

Kobe Powell didn't get the start for Walters State Saturday afternoon, but made up for lost time when he got on the court.

Powell poured in 27 points as he led the Senators back from an 11-point deficit in the final 11 minutes for a 90-85 victory over Southwest Tennessee at 'Z' Buda Gymnasium.

The 5-9 sophomore took the ball to the basket time after time to score and finished a perfect 9-9 at the free throw line, including four of the final five Walters State points. For good measure, Powell grabbed seven rebounds, handed out three assists and came up with a pair of steals.

It was 12th victory against six losses for Coach Bill Carlyle's Senators who improved to 5-2 in Tennessee Community College Athletic Association play. The Saluqis are now 4-9 on the season and 2-5 in league play.

Powell had plenty of help from Demarius Boyd with 16 points and 15 by Sly Thompson, with 13 of those coming after intermission. Paris Taylor added 10.

Southwest was led by the one-two punch of Clythus Griffith with 26 and Joshua Kelley with 20. Anthony Whitmore added 10 while Christian Jones had a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists.

 "Thank God for Kobe Powell," said Carlyle. "If he don't make a bunch of free throws, we would have been in big-time trouble."

The coach wasn't happy with the play of his team. "I thought we played absolutely terrible. That was probably one of our worst efforts all year. We looked like we were in mud or something.

 "My big kids didn't come to play and I don't know what it is," he said. "We're out of school and they're doing a lot of lying around. Maybe that's what it is."

The Senators had nine turnovers in the first half when they trailed by as many as 14, but made just two after intermission. The coach said, "We did do a better job of taking care of the ball in the second half but after nine in the first half I don't know how much that says.

 "Kobe played well and I guess what you could say is that in the end we survived with a win," he commented.

After a short pause, he closed, "But we won and that's the biggest thing. Anytime you get a victory over Southwest you need to be thankful for it."

Walters State shot 45.6 percent from the floor (31-68) and finished 6 of 15 from long range.

To get the win, the Senators had to survive the long-range shooting of the Saluqis, who knocked down 16 threes in the game on 38 attempts. The visitors went 31 of 59 for the game for 52.5 percent.

Walters State won it at the free throw line where it cashed in 22-26 to just 7 of 10 for the Saluqis.

The Senators had a 36-26 rebounding edge as Luiz Machado pulled down 10. Griffith had five for the losers.

A long trey by Kelly put Southwest in front 70-59 with 11:30 left in the game. Boyd then drove for a basket and nailed a three and Thompson came back with another triple to make it 70-67.

Mahlon Prayter scored for the losers, but Powell grabbed a rebound and put it back in and made the free throw as he was fouled on the play. Kelly and Griffith sandwiched three-pointers around a basket by the Senators' Taylor and it was 78-72 with 8:04 remaining.

However, Powell converted another conventional three-point play and Thompson had a steal and layup. Powell took it to the hoop again and missed but got his own rebound and scored to put the Senators in front and then scored again for an 81-78 lead.

Griffith had a bucket for the Saluqis and Powell scored again inside the paint before Kelly's triple tied it with 5:10 left. That was the final field goal in the game as points were tough to come by down the stretch.

Powell broke the tie with two charity tosses at the 4:41 mark and Griffith sank a par to make it 85-85 with 3:43 on the clock.

It was Powell with two more free tosses with 3:15 left for what proved to be the deciding points. Boyd added one free throw with 57.4 to go and Powell closed it out with 21 seconds remaining.

Walters State had no answer for Griffith in the first half. He scored 14 in the first seven minutes and had 19 at intermission. The Saluqis led by as many as 14 at 44-30 before settling for a 47-36 halftime margin.

NEXT UP

Walters State hits the road to face TCCAA rival Roan State Wednesday night. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.