Second-half comeback falls short as Walters State falls to Bucks

Tullahoma, Tenn. — Motlow State took control of the game early and kept it most of the way as they held off a Walters State second-half comeback attempt to claim an 84-75 victory on their home court Wednesday night.

It was the fourth loss in a row for the Senators (13-10, 6-6 TCCAA).

The Bucks opened the game with a 5-0 run and used that advantage to hold for nearly all the first half until Walters State), after chipping at it for 15 minutes, finally claimed command 29-27 on a Jermize Weddle 3-pointer with 4:35 left in the opening period.

A layup from MSCC's Darius Harding would tie the game up 20 seconds later, spurring a 13-2 run from the Bucks to close out the half.

The Senators trailed 40-32 coming out of the locker room, but came out firing with Sly Thompson sinking a 3-pointer 12 seconds into the second half. Another Thompson three a minute later pulled WSCC within one, but Motlow State was again able to pull away thanks to a jumper from Keyshun Bradley and a three from Harding.

Walters State matched the Bucks point-for-point all through the frame, but could never overtake them for good. Finally, down 10 with a minute to go, the Senators were forced to foul and MSCC finished out the game at the charity stripe.

Walters State got a double-double from Paris Taylor in the contest with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Luiz Machado nearly had one as well, with 13 points and eight boards off the bench.

The Bucks were led by Harding's 21 points. Jace Wallace and Jaellan White finished with 16 points apiece and Anterrious Ryhan scored 11.

NOTES

Walters State sophomore guard Kobe Powell was named TCCAA men's player of the week for the week of Jan. 19. Powell accounted for 59 points and 14 rebounds in the Senators' two games during that span and played 72 of a possible 80 minutes.  

NEXT UP

Saturday, Walters State welcomes No. 24-ranked Dyersburg State to 'Z' Buda Gymnasium for a key TCCAA match up. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.