16th-ranked Senators hit 16 3-pointers in 87-59 win over Columbia State

COLUMBIA, TN – No. 16 Walters State hit 12 3-pointers in the opening 20 minutes on Saturday against Columbia State, and the Senators cruised to an 87-59 win.

With the victory, the Senators improved to 16-0 overall and 8-0 in TCCAA play. Walters State handed the Chargers their first loss in TCCAA play, taking control of first place in the conference.

Taquez Butler led the way for Walters State in the game, burying six 3-pointers and scoring 22 points. Carter Webb added five more 3-pointers and 15 points, and Jamar Livingston hit three 3-pointers and had 11 points. 

Other contributors for Walters State were Jayden Nesbitt with eight points and seven rebounds, Trae Rideau with seven points, Jaquavious Wallace with six points, Brian Carter with six points, seven rebounds, four steals and four assists, Da'Mori Lytch with four points and seven assists, Malaki Brooks with three points, Jaceion Coffey with three points and Tyrese Stovall with two points and seven rebounds.

Walters State shot 50% from the field in the game and were 16-31 from 3-point range. Walters State assisted on 26 of 32 made shots and collected 39 rebounds. Defensively, the Senators forced 16 turnovers and scored 16 points off of them. Walters State held Columbia State to 33% from the field and 9% from 3-point range. 

The Senators scored 12 of the first 15 points to set the tone, as Butler hit three straight 3-pointers and Rideau converted an acrobatic and-one. Columbia scored to break the run, but Brooks hit a 3-pointer that made it 15-5. The lead was 21-9 after a Webb 3-pointer, and Webb hit another 3-pointer two minutes later to break a Columbia run and increase the lead to 24-15. 

The lead would hover around 10 until the eight-minute mark when Carter scored four straight to give Walters State a 36-22 advantage. Columbia scored after, but Butler and Livingston knocked in back-to-back triples that made it 42-24. The run continued with five straight points from Butler and, when Livingston hit another layup, it was 49-23 with 4:29 left in the half. 

From there, Walters State kept the foot on the gas as Webb hit a three and Nesbitt scored four straight. Columbia scored the final points of the half, but Walters State led 56-28 at the break.

In the second half, Rideau opened the scoring with a layup and Livingston followed with a three. Webb hit a three a few minutes later to get the lead to 66-36, and Carter scored with 12:44 left to get the lead to 71-41. The lead was 76-44 following a Coffey 3-pointer, and it was 81-49 after a Livingston trey. 

Lytch scored four points in the final four minutes, and Walters State easily picked up the 87-59 win. 

Up Next:

Walters State is back in action on Wednesday, traveling to take on Motlow State. Tip is set for 7:30 pm.