Stovall scores 22 in 84-64 win over Cleveland State

CLEVELAND, TN – Tyrese Stovall had quite the homecoming for No. 19 Walters State on Wednesday against Cleveland State, leading the Senators to an 84-64 win over the Cougars.

With the victory, Walters State improved to 6-0 on the season and 3-0 in TCCAA play.

Stovall led the way for Walters State in the game with 22 points and five rebounds. The freshman from Cleveland is averaging 15.5 points and five rebounds per game on the season. 

Along with Stovall, Jamar Livingston had 16 points and five rebounds, while Jaquavious Wallace finished with 11 points off the bench. Other contributors for Walters State were Da'Mori Lytch with nine points and seven rebounds, Malaki Brooks with eight points, Taquez Butler with five points, nine rebounds and five assists, Jayden Nesbitt with five points, Trae Rideau with four points and Carter Webb with four points. 

Walters State led 12-9 six minutes into the game thanks to four points from both Stovall and Lytch. Cleveland State tied the game at 12 and then took an 18-15 lead with eight minutes to go in the half. The Senators quickly tied things on a free throw by Stovall and basket by Webb, and then took the lead on three free throws from Wallace. 

Cleveland State took the lead back at 22-21, but Brooks hit two free throws and Livingston knocked in a trey to make it 26-22. It was 28-24 following a bucket by Stovall, and Stovall and Lytch each scored in the final 25 seconds to give the Senators a 34-28 lead at the break.

In the second half, Cleveland State cut the Senators lead to 42-41 five minutes in. However, Walters State answered back with an 8-0 run on three points from Stovall, a three by Brooks and two free throws by Wallace that made it 50-41. The Senators got the lead to double digits at 54-43 thanks to a made shot by Livingston, and it was 61-46 following free throws by Livingston and Wallace. 

Cleveland State would continue to fight and cut things to 69-64 with four minutes to go. But, Walters State regained control with a 15-0 run to end the game. Lytch, Livingston, Stovall and Rideau all scored during the run, and Rideau capped things off with an alley-oop slam.

Up Next:

Walters State returns home on Saturday, taking on Volunteer State. Tip is set for 4 pm ET.