14th-ranked Senators drop 68-66 contest to Motlow State 

LYNCHBURG, TN – No. 14 Walters State fell for the first time this season on Wednesday night, dropping a 68-66 contest to Motlow State.

With the loss, the Senators moved to 16-1 on the season and 8-1 in TCCAA play.

Da'Mori Lytch led the way for Walters State in the game with 15 points, while Jamar Livingston added 13 points. Other scorers for the Senators were Taquez Butler with eight points, Jayden Nesbitt with seven points, Trae Rideau with six points, Malaki Brooks with six points, Brian Carter with four points, Tyrese Stovall with three points, Carter Webb with three points and Jaquavious Wallace with one point. 

Lytch started strong for Walters State in the game, scoring seven of their first eight points to give the Senators an 8-4 lead. Rideau hit a three to up the lead to 11-6, but Motlow scored eight straight to go up three. Webb hit a three and Stovall made a free throw to tie the game a few minutes later, but Motlow increased its lead to 26-19. The Senators broke the run with a three from Lytch, and Livingston scored five straight to give Walters State the lead back at 27-26.

However, Motlow State closed the half strong and led 34-29 at the half. 

In the second, Motlow got the lead to 40-33 before Livingston hit two free throws, stole the inbounds pass and converted an and-one to make it a two-point game. Lytch then scored to tie the game at 40 and, after a Motlow basket, Brooks drilled a long three to give Walters State the lead. Motlow made a basket to briefly take the lead back, but Livingston hit a free throw and Brooks stole an inbounds pass and fed the ball to Carter for a slam that gave the Senators a 46-44 lead.

Brooks hit one more three to get the lead to three a minute later, and the Senators led by as many as four at 60-56 following a Carter basket. However, Motlow rallied off four straight to tie the game. Butler got the lead back with a layup and, after a Motlow made shot tied it again, Rideau hit two free throws to make it a 64-62 game with four minutes to go.

Unfortunately for Walters State, Motlow scored four straight to grab the lead. Livingston tied it one final time with two free throws, but two free throws from Motlow State with 5.3 seconds left gave the Bucks a 68-66 advantage. The Senators were fouled with 0.5 seconds left in the game but missed the front-end of a one-and-one. 

Up Next:

Walters State is back home on Saturday, hosting Jackson State. Tip is set for 4 pm ET.