Senators drop overtime contest to Volunteer State, 74-73

MORRISTOWN, TN – Walters State held a 10-point lead with four minutes to go in regulation on Saturday against Volunteer State but could not finish the job, falling 74-73 in overtime.

With the loss, the Senators fell to 14-8 overall and 8-5 in TCCAA play. 

Aiden Goins led the way in the scoring column for the Senators with 16 points, while Da'Mori Lytch added 15 points. Other scorers were Alex Garcia with 12, Charvez Ambrose with 10, Malaki Brooks with nine, Anthony Davis Jr. with seven and Carter Metz with four. 

It was a slow start for both teams, as the score was tied at 19 with five minutes to go in the opening half. The Pioneers scored four quick points to charge into the lead and then led 27-21 with two minutes to go in the half. But Brooks and Lytch scored in the final 90 seconds to make it a 29-25 game at the break. 

In the second half, Volunteer State led 34-31 early but Davis Jr. scored, Lytch scored and Goins scored to give the Senators a 37-34 advantage. Volunteer State regained control with seven straight points, but Walters State got a three by Garcia, four points by Lytch and a basket by Ambrose to go up 46-41. 

The Pioneers answered back with four straight, but Goins scored and Garcia hit another three. Volunteer State again scored four straight to cut it to 51-48, but Brooks and Lytch hit two free throws each while Goins drilled a three that made it 58-48 with 4:25 to go.

Unfortunately, Volunteer State scored eight straight to cut it to two with 2:15 left. Brooks hit two free throws to get it back to four and, after the Pioneers hit a free throw, Ambrose hit another free throw to make it 61-57 with 1:56 left. Vol State answered with five straight to go up one with 16 seconds to go but fouled Davis Jr. Davis Jr. made one free throw to tie it at 62, and the game went to overtime. 

In overtime, Davis Jr. scored early and when Ambrose converted an and-one, Walters State led 67-64 with 3:37 to go. Volunteer State rallied off four straight to go back up one, but Ambrose tipped a shot in that gave the Senators a 69-68 advantage with 1:34 to go. 

The Pioneers then scored three quick points to go up two but were called for a delay of game technical with a minute left. Ambrose hit both free throws to tie the game at 71, and Davis Jr. scored on the following possession to give Walters State a two-point lead with 48 seconds left.

But Volunteer State converted an and-one with seconds left to go up 74-73, and Walters State could not convert on the other end before the buzzer sounded. 

Up Next:

Walters State will be back in action on Wednesday, hosting Chattanooga State. Tip is set for 7:30 pm.