Senators can't convert in final minute, fall to Cleveland State

MORRISTOWN, TN – Walters State could not build off their momentum from Saturday's dominating win on Wednesday, falling to Cleveland State 68-61.  

Walters State made it a one-point game with just a minute to go and had a chance to take the lead but could not convert. Late free throws down the stretch allowed Cleveland State to pull away. 

With the loss, Walters State falls to 7-4 on the season and are 6-4 in conference play.  

"We just did not play well," Walters State coach Bill Carlyle said. "We had all kinds of opportunities to win this game. We just don't know how to close games. When you play someone who plays hard, you just have to play." 

Walters State was led in the game by De'Marius Boyd with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Tylar Haynes added 16 while Deovaunta Williams had 10.  

It was a quick start for Walters State as they broke out to a 4-0 lead three minutes in. The lead grew to 15-8 off a Boyd layup before Cleveland State responded with a bucket. However, Sly Thompson answered with a 3-pointer and it was 18-10.  

The Senators would hold onto that lead for much of the first half and led by a point with 43 seconds to go in the half thanks to a Haynes made jumper. However, a banked in 3-pointer at the buzzer from Cleveland State gave them a 30-28 lead at the break.  

In the second, Walters State hung around for the first eight minutes of the half, but then Cleveland State began to take control and built a 49-41 lead with 8:26 left.  

Not going down without a fight though, the Senators responded as Sully Fox hit a shot, Boyd hit two free throws and Kajuan Hale made a shot that cut the lead to three. Cleveland State would try to get their lead back up and did make it a seven-point game with 2:06 left. 

But once again, Walters State would not give in. First, Haynes made a layup and was fouled, cutting the lead to four. Then, with a minute to go, Williams hit a huge 3-pointer in a Cleveland State defender's face to make it 62-61. 

Walter State got the ball back with 51 seconds left but turned the ball over and had to foul. After a missed free throw kept it a one possession game, Boyd missed a jump shot with 12 seconds to go and that was the game.  

UP NEXT: 

Walters State will be back in action on Wednesday, travelling to take on Roane State. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m.  

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics