Senators close out 2023 slate of schedule with win over Georgia Highlands

DALTON, GA – Walters State finished up the 2023 part of their schedule on Saturday evening, taking an 83-74 win over Georgia Highlands. 

With the victory, Walters State improved to 11-0 on the season.

Greg Moore led the way for the second straight game for the Senators, finishing with 19 points. Moore added six rebounds. Along with Moore, Ramondo Battle had 16 points and seven rebounds and Micah Simpson had 15 points and six rebounds.

Other contributors for Walters State were Chi Shannon with seven points, Jair Horton with seven points and three rebounds, Jamar Livingston with six points and three rebounds, Charvez Ambrose with five points, Jaylon Taylor with four points, Jaylen Wharton with two points and JR Jacobs with two points, six rebounds and six assists. 

The Senators shot 51% for the game and assisted on 20 of 28 made baskets. Defensively, Walters State held Georgia Highlands to just 37% from the field and forced 16 turnovers. 

The two teams started even, the game tied at 4-4 for the first five minutes. Ambrose broke the tie with a 3-pointer and then had a dunk to make it 9-4. Horton scored a minute later to put the Senators up 11-4.

Georgia Highlands answered though with two 3-pointers, cutting the Senators lead to one. Moore answered back with a three before the teams traded buckets. At 14-13, Walters State finally began to pull away as Simpson hit a free throw, Battle scored, Livingston scored, Simpson hit another free throw and dunked one home, Livingston hit a three and Battle scored. The run was 13-0 and gave the Senators a 27-13 advantage. 

Walters State would hold a comfortable lead for the remainder of the half, taking a 40-31 lead into the locker room. Simpson had nine points in the opening 20 minutes, while Battle added seven and Livingston and Moore scored six. 

In the second half, Georgia Highlands immediately cut the lead to four but an 8-0 run made it 48-36 in favor of the Senators. That lead would hold until eight minutes remained, when Georgia Highlands cut the lead to 64-60. Horton calmed the storm with a jumper, and Battle scored a minute later. Georgia Highlands hit a free throw, but Simpson drilled a critical 3-pointer. Jacobs knocked in two free throws after to give Walters State a 73-61 lead with five minutes left.

From there, Walters State would comfortably hold on and take the win, 83-74. Moore had 13 points in the final 20 minutes, while Battle added nine. 

Up Next:

Walters State will be back in action after the New Year's, taking on Experience Academy on January 5. Tip is set for 5:30 p.m. 

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics