Brooks scores 22 in No. 14 Walters State’s 99-55 win over Pellissippi State

KNOXVILLE, TN – Malaki Brooks had his best game of the season on Wednesday, and No. 14 Walters State went on for a 99-55 win over Pellissippi State.

With the win, the Senators improved to 24-1 overall and 16-1 in TCCAA play.

Brooks hit five 3-pointers in the game and led the way with 22 points, while Da'Mori Lytch finished with 17 points. Other scorers were Jayden Nesbitt with 16 points, Jamar Livingston with nine points, Brian Carter with seven points, Tyrese Stovall with six points, Taquez Butler with five points, Trae Rideau with five points, Jaquavious Wallace with five points, Carter Webb with three points, Caiden Bauldwin with two points and Jaceion Coffey with two points. 

Walters State scored 17 of the first 21 points in the game on Wednesday. Livingston got things started with a layup, and Nesbitt converted a 3-point play to make it 5-2. It was 7-2 after Lytch scored, and Brooks hit back-to-back three's a minute later to make it 13-4. Stovall scored the final four points during the run, and it was 17-4. 

Pellissippi crawled back into the game and cut it to 18-12 at the 10 minute mark, but Walters State regained some control when Lytch and Livingston scored and Brooks hit three free throws to make it 25-12. Walters State continued to charge from there, and Brooks hit a trey that got things to 32-17. 

Walters State's final run of the half came at 34-19, when the Senators went on an 8-0 run. Nesbitt, Carter, Wallace and Lytch all scored during the run. The final points of the half came from Lytch, and it was 44-22 at the half. 

In the second half, Walters State got baskets from Lytch and Rideau in the first minute that made it 48-22. Pellissippi scored a point to break the run, but Walters State could not be stopped as they scored eight in a row to up the advantage to 57-23. Butler had four during the run, and Nesbitt and Stovall each scored. 

Livingston kept the hot-shooting going for Walters State with a 3-pointer with 13:30 left, and Lytch put back in a missed free throw that made it 65-28. From there, the Senators left no doubt. Brooks hit two more 3-pointers in the final 20 minutes and had 10 points, while Nesbitt had nine points in the second half. Lytch scored six points, as well, and Carter hit a three and dunked one home to pick up five points in the second half. 

Up Next:

Walters State is back in action on Saturday, hosting Columbia State. Tip is set for 4 pm ET.