MORRISTOWN, Tennessee – Walters State, the top-seeded men’s team out of the Eastern Division overcame a slow start to bounce Columbia State from the TJCCAA/NJCAA Region VII tournament Thursday night, 81-58, at ‘Z’ Buda Gymnasium on the campus of Walters State Community College.

With the victory, the Senators pushed their season worksheet to 29-1 while the Chargers finished with season with a 9-20 record.

Walters State led 35-28 at intermission before outscoring Columbia State, 46-30, in the final 20 minutes to advance to Saturday’s semifinals.

Two Senators recorded double-doubles in the win. Freshman Michael Jenkins tallied 13 points and 10 rebounds while sophomore Sirlester Martin finished with 11 points and 14 rebounds.

Freshman guard A.J. Thomas led the team in scoring with 17 points while sophomores Freeman Pinkney and Terrance Britt each scored 10.