ORANGEBURG, S.C. - In their first game of the 2010-2011 campaign, the Thorobreds of Kentucky State traveled to Orangeburg, S.C. and defeated conference foe, Claflin University 65-64.

After trailing 0-1 to the Thorobreds, the Panthers regained the lead on a layup by Alfred Frayer to go up 2-1, a lead they would not relinquish in the first half. KSU threatened to come back, but after pulling within four points (7-11) on a made jumper by Jabari Wright, CU's JaWan Davis knocked down a three-pointer to put the Panthers up 14-7. As the Thorobreds missed shots, the Panthers capitalized on second-chance points, turnovers and pounded the ball inside for 20 points in the paint.

This game, however, was the tale of two halves. The Thorobreds trailed the Panthers by as many as 18 points in the second half (14:47 mark) but, just as CU did in the first half, KSU exploited CU's errors late in the second half to chip away at the lead. With just 8:08 to play in the game, KSU pulled within 10 points on two good free throws by Alex Somerville, their smallest deficit since the 11:27 mark in the first half.

Claflin turned the ball over and after a missed three-pointer by KSU's George Newell, Panther Efe Uwadiae-OdigieEric Salley missed a layup followed by Stacy McAlister missing two free throws for the Panthers. KSU made them pay for their mistakes, as senior, SIAC Preseason All-Conference First Team member, Tony Johnson, grabbed the defensive board and knocked down a three-pointer with 5:53 to play in the game, pulling the 'Breds within five (48-53).

With 2:29 to play, the 'Breds tied the game at 59 on a put-back layup by Wright and with just :55 to play, KSU took their first lead since 1-0 at 63-62 on a made jumper by Austin Rich. The Thorobreds and panthers traded buckets for nearly a minute, but the fourth and final tie of the game was broken by KSU's Johnson who made two free throws to give the 'Breds the 65-64 win in regulation.

KSU was led by Patrick Dawson with 13 points. Johnson added seven points, three assists and three steals, while Wright and Kevin Smith chipped in with 10 points each.

The Thorobreds return to Frankfort on Saturday, November 27 for their home-opener against Benedict College at 3:00 p.m.