WALTERS, COLUMBIA TO MEET FOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Walters State and Columbia State both won their semifinal games on Monday afternoon, and will meet for a third time to decided the TCCAA/NJCAA Region VII Champion Tuesday afternoon.  Walters advanced with a 95-64 win over Chattanooga while Columbia took a 77-54 triumph over Southwest Tennessee.

Walters 95 - Chattanooga 64

In the first game, the Senators took advantage of the game over the Tigers as they shot out to a double digit lead early in the first half.  They would lead 49-32 after the first twenty minutes of play.  The second half saw the same as Walters won the second half 46-32 for the win.

Walters had four scorers reach double figures led by Taquez Butler and Malaki Brooks who both dropped 16 points in the game.  Brian Carter had 15 in the game while Tyrese Stovall finished with 11 points.  Stovall led the team with 13 rebounds while Butler and Da'Mori Lytch both finished with five boards.  Trae Rideau led the squad with four assists with four other crediting two in the game.  Butler, Jamar Livingston, and Carter Webb each had a steal in the game.  Stovall had three3 blocks in the game.

For Chattanooga, they were ledy by Odell Bradley IV with 18 points from the bench.  Nicholas Long also reached double figures with 12 points.  Bradley also led with six rebounds.  Kadedn Young and Azavier Zanders both fijnished with four boards in the game.  Bradley also led the way with three assists and two steals.

COLUMBIA 77 - SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE 54

The seond game saw the Chargers move out quickly as well to a double digit lead in the early going, and would lead 43-23 at the half.  The Saluquis would match the their oppoinents in the second half, but never truly could mount a challenge in the second twenty minutes of play.

For Columbia, they were leed by Nate Malosa with 15 points. De'Costa Ricks would also reach double figures with ten points as all the Chargers got involved in the scoring.  Nate Malosa led the team with five rebounds with five other players recording four boards in the game.  Taveon Comage led the squad with four assists, and he was supported by Tyren Fisher and Ricks, who each had three assists.  Kenny Ellis and Murray Norman each had two steals.  Piotr Luczak had two blocks.

Southwest Tennessee was led by Christopher King with 19 points.  He was the only player to reach double figures, but Blake Garner finished with nine points.  Abdoul Sacko led the team with seven rebounds.  Eric Jones had five assists and Jeremih Hayes finiashed with four in the game.  Garner would finish the game with a team high five steals.  Sack had five blocks in the game.