The top-seeded Wallace State men’s basketball team won its Alabama Community College Conference Championship semifinal game against Lawson State on Friday night at Spragins Hall on the campus of Alabama-Huntsville by a score of 98-84 to advance to the championship game on Saturday.

“I was proud of how our guys handled the pressure tonight,” coach Faron Key said. “It was a team effort to get the win and advance to the championship game.”

The win was Wallace’s 25th win of the season and eighth in its last ten games. The Lions led 46-32 at halftime and played even with Lawson State in the second half to secure the win.

In the first half, when the score was 28-18, the Lions caught fire from behind the line. TJ Cochran, AJ Johnson, and KJ Anderson each hit a 3-pointer one after the other to push the lead to 19.

The Cougars cut Wallace State’s lead to single digits midway through the second half. The Lions then responded with a 14-8 run. Lawson State never recovered this as Wallace State’s onslaught continued for the rest of the night as the trio of Anderson, Cochran,  and Johnson combined for 77 points. 

AJ Johnson was explosive Friday night, as he scored 31 points, grabbed five rebounds, and threw out three assists.

“AJ was huge for us tonight,” Key said. “He has stepped up for us following the loss of Kami Young. He took the game over in the second half and led us to victory.”

KJ Anderson scored 28 points in his first game back from a shoulder injury. He also recorded four rebounds and four assists.

TJ Cochran’s contribution for the trio’s dominating night was 20 points and hitting the glass for five boards.

Christian Thompson posted a near triple double ending his night with nine points, 12 rebounds, and sending back 10 blocks.

Wallace State will face off with Southern Union on Saturday at 3:15 p.m. at Spraggins Hall in Huntsville. The second-seeded Bison defeated No. 3 Bishop State 95-82 to advance to the finals.