Box Score
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- In what could be their toughest test of the 2013-14 season, the Kentucky State men's basketball team came up just short of an upset victory over NCAA Division I opponent, Samford University Bulldogs in a non-conference contest held at the Pete Hanna Center.
 
The Thorobreds were up by as many as 10 points in the second half but Samford was able to claw its way back and hold on for the 76-73 victory. Kentucky State shot a season high 52.6% for 3-point range in the Sunday afternoon loss.
 
Darquell Pulliam, playing in his first game of the season, led the Thorobreds offensively finishing with a game high 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting including an astounding 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. Pulliam also had a team high seven rebounds.
 
Ulysses Thomas III, who is leading the team with 19.5 points per game this season, finished with 20 points while also contributing with five rebounds and three assists.
 
Samford had four players score in double figures including three that finished with 15 points.
 
Both KSU and Samford played well in the first half of the game. The teams entered halftime with the score knotted at 35-35.
 
In the second half the Thorobreds came out swinging.
 
The Thorobreds hit the first four shots of the second half including a Thomas III 3-pointer with 17:33 left in the game that put KSU ahead by eight, 43-35.
 
After the teams exchanged a few baskets, Thomas III game the Thorobreds their largest lead of the game when he sank a pair of free throws with 15:27 left in the contest to put Kentucky State ahead 49-39.
 
"At this point in the game, I was reminding our guys that there is still a lot of game left to be played," said Head Men's Basketball Coach Antwain Banks. "I was really pleased with our start in the second half so I was telling our guys to continue to defend and focus on what we've been doing right."
 
With just 16 seconds left in the game Samford's Connor Miller hit a 3-point shot to put the Bulldogs up by six, 74-68.
 
"Miller hit a clutch shot for them in the corner. He had been struggling all game but he showed a lot of resiliency hitting the shot when it mattered," said Coach Banks. "Looking back at the game, that's really the shot that broke our back."
 
In need of a big bucket, Kentucky State guard Darquell Pulliam pulled up well beyond the 3-point arc and drained a shot to pull the Thorobreds to within three points once again with just nine second remaining.
 
After a quick KSU time out and a flurry of substitutions, KSU fouled Samford's Isaiah Williams, sending him to the line for a pair of free throws with just seven seconds left in the contest. Williams hit both clutch free throws to put the Bulldogs ahead, 76-71.
 
With a five point lead and Kentucky State needing at least two baskets, Samford played it conservatively, allowing Pulliam to convert a layup as time expired.
 
"Overall I'm pleased with our improvement. Our team stuck to the game plan we gave them going into Sundays game and we had a shot all the way until the end," said Coach Banks. "We play a tough non-conference schedule on purpose in order to see where we stand going into the winter break. We're always looking to set ourselves up to be successful until the end of the season. As I always tell my guys, it's not a sprint, it's a marathon."
 
The Bulldog's shot 80% (12-of-15) as a team from the free throw line in the second half. While the Thorobreds had a distinct advantage from long range, Samford controlled the interior outscoring KSU, 42-33, in the paint.
 
Next up for the Thorobreds is another tough task at the University of Southern Indiana on Saturday, Dec. 7. Kentucky State will travel to Evansville, Ind. for the away game which is scheduled for a 3:15 p.m. tip-off.