Box Score

WILBERFORCE, Ohio - The Kentucky State University men's basketball team made an impressive 14-2 run at the end of Tuesday night's game against the Central State University Marauders but fell short, 67-64, in their bid for a comeback victory at the Beacom/Lewis Gymnasium. Kentucky State, which has dropped three straight, falls to 1-3 while Central State moves to 2-2.

Central State controlled the second half, pushing their lead to a seemingly insurmountable 12 points with just over two minutes left on the clock. With 2:06 left on the game clock, freshman guard Malcolm Smith hit a 3-pointer that sparked a furious 14-2 Thorobred run that was capped by a Markus Montague jumper which left the teams tied at 64-64 with just 13 seconds remaining. After a CSU timeout, Marauder sophomore guard Sterling Gilmore pulled up and drained a 3-point shot to put CSU ahead, 67-64, with just seconds left on the clock. He was fouled in the process but missed the free throw attempt. Senior Ulysses Thomas III pulled down the rebound and took a few dribbles before heaving a desperation attempt that clanged off the front of the rim to end the Thorobreds chance at the improbable comeback win.

Smith led the Thorobreds with 15 points, going 4-of-8 from the floor. He also added five rebounds and a pair of steals. Starting forward Tim Bates added 12 points and seven boards. Thomas, KSU's leading scorer this season, was held in check for most of the game, going 3-for-11 from the floor for 11 points. Point guard Quentin Henderson finished with six points and a team-high six assists.

Central State had a pair of players pick up double-doubles against the Thorobreds. Raheem Lemons had a game-high 16 points and 11 rebounds while Masceo Harmon added 15 points, pulled down ten rebounds and had a team-high six assists.

Kentucky State now has a three-week break before their road trip to Owensboro, Ky. on Tuesday, Dec. 16, when they take on Kentucky Wesleyan at 7:30 p.m. (CT).