PANAMA CITY, Fla. – The 23rd-ranked Walters State Senators were overwhelmed from the opening tip Saturday afternoon, dropping an 80-56 decision to the South Georgia Tech Jets in the Gulf Coast Admiral Thanksgiving Classic played at Gulf Coast Community College.

The Senators (6-1) fell behind 48-22 at the half and never recovered, as the Jets (1-6) grabbed their first win of the season while giving Walters State its first loss.

South Georgia shot 49.2 percent (29 of 59) from the field in the win, despite making only 5 of 18 from long range.

The Jets had four players reach double figures, with Steve Robinson leading the way with 18 points. Daley Strafford tossed in 15 points, while Maliek Daniels and Rearkus McCrory added 13 points each in the win.

Walters State shot 45.7 percent (21 of 46) in the contest. Fred Sturdivant led the Senators with 16 points and 12 rebounds in the contest, while John Holleman added 10 points in the defeat.

Walters State will return to action Friday, Dec. 5, on the road at Columbia State. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. Eastern time.