WALTERS STATE MEN CLAIM REGION CHAMPIONSHIP OVER COLUMBIA STATE

The Walters State men's basketball team came back in the second half to claim the 2025-26 TCCAA/NJCAA Region VII Tournament over Columbia State by a 68-65 final.  With the win, the Senators move on to play in the NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship to begin March 21 at the Hutchinson Sports Arena in Hutchinson (KS). 

Columbia would maintain a lead throughout the first half as they connected on 15 of 28 shots (53.6%) to move out to a 38-31 lead at the break.  Walters would shoot 37.9% (11 of 29) in the first half.  The Chargers would hold the lead in the second half until the 12:20 mark of the half when Waltes would take a brief lead.  Columbia would regain the lead and go up by 4 points with ten minutes to play in the contest.  Walters would take the lead for good a minute later.  Free throws down the stretch kept the lead at three.  Columbia had a chance with seven seconds to playu, but couldn't get a shot off befoe the buzzer.

For the game, Walters connected on 24 of 57 shots (42.1%) which included 7 of 18 from 3-point range (38.9%).  They were 13 of 19 from the free throw line (68.4%). They would outrebound Columbia 41 to 36 in the game.    

For Walters, they were led by Taquez Butler with 15 points.  Da'Mori Lytch and Malaki Brooks each finished in double digits with 11 points each.  Butler would lead the team with eight rebounds.  He was followd by Tyrese Stovall with seven and Lytch with five.  Brian Carter would have five assists to lead his squad while Lytch had three in the game.  Carter and Lytch had two steals in the game while Carter had two blocks.  

For Columbia, Nate Malosa led the way with 16 points  He was followed by Taveon Comage with 15 and Jamison Glass with 13 points.  Tyren Fisher had nine rebounds to lead the team.  Glass had six boards while Malosa and JD Claybrook finished with five in the contest.  Fisher finished with seven assists followed by Malosa with four.  Fisher had four steals and Kenny Ellis finished with two in the game.  Fisher also had four blocks.

Walters will learn of their seeding for national tournament on Monday at 6pm EDT on the NJCAA Network.

COLUMBIA STATE CHARGERS - TCCAA/NJCAA REGION VII RUNNER-UP

TCCAA/NJCAA REGION VII ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM