ESCC battles but comes up short against No. 13 Shelton State

The Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils hosted the Shelton State Buccaneers on Tuesday, Dec. 10, and played the nationally ranked Bucs tough only to fall 83-80 in the final seconds.

The Bucs came into the game as the No. 13-ranked basketball team nationally in junior college basketball and led by as much as 24 points at one point, but the Boll Weevils kept fighting until they came to within a single point with just seconds remaining in the game.

A controversial foul call would send Shelton State to the free throw line to score two points and a desperation last-second shot for the Weevils came up short.

“They played their butts off tonight to play Shelton State that tough,” ESCC coach Jermaine Williams said. “After getting down by 24 points to fight all the way was incredible. I’m just so proud of the way they fought and played hard against a nationally ranked team.”

ESCC was led by Ryan Sanders with 22 points, while Ryan Davis and Jalen Smith scored 11 points each.

Williams said that he saw his team come together as a team against Shelton State.

“I think it will really help our confidence but also I saw them cheering for each other and having each other’s backs in the locker room like a team needs to,” Williams emphasized. “I think we grew up a lot as a team and saw what it takes to beat a team like Shelton State. So now they know they can play with the best teams.”