Box Score | Gallery

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Kentucky State men's basketball team defeated the Claflin University Panthers, 76-55, in the opening round of the SIAC Basketball Championship Tournament on Tuesday evening at the Bill Harris Arena.
 
In the first half, Claflin jumped out to take the early lead, going up 12-7 with just under 14 minutes left in the first half. Kentucky State then went on a huge 20-1 run to take a commanding 27-13 lead with 4:42 left in the half.
 
In the final seconds of the first period Claflin guard Brandon Curry missed a contested layup with just a few second left. After securing the rebound, Ulysses Thomas III quickly pushed the ball too a streaking Darquell Pulliam who rushed down the floor and got off an off-balance 3-point attempt. The ball fell through the basket as time expired to send the Thorobreds into the locker room with a 35-25 lead.
 
In the second half, the Panthers were able to chip away at the Kentucky State advantage, cutting the lead to seven early in the half. With 8:59 left in the game, Claflin's Adolph Caldwell, who finished with a game-high 21 points, hit a 3-pointer to cut the KSU lead to 11 at 60-49. From there, the Thorobreds outscored CU, 16-6, to close out the game.
 
Senior forward/center Brandon Darrett anchored the Thorobreds on both ends of the floor picking up his tenth double-double of the season after finishing with 14 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks.
 
The Thorobreds were paced offensively by sophomore point guard Quentin Henderson who finished the contest with 11 points and three assists. More importantly, Henderson didn't turn the ball over at all against the Panthers.
 
KSU forward Darrien Wilkins was a key for the Thorobreds scoring 14 points, mostly close to the basket, and pulling down eight rebounds, three on the offensive end. Junior guard Ulysses Thomas II finished with 11 points. With starting guard Antonio Sullivan in foul trouble early, senior Darquell Pulliam came off the bench to provide nine points and three assists in 23 minutes.
 
Along with his game-high 21 points, Claflin's Caldwell also had five rebounds and a pair of steals. Marcellus Dunn picked up a double-double, finishing with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Kendall Jackson finished Tuesdays game with 12 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
 
As a team the Thorobreds hit 46% (26-of-57) of their shots from the floor while the Panthers connected on just 39% (22-of-56).
 
Next up for Kentucky State is a quarterfinal matchup on Thursday, Mar. 6^th at 7:45 p.m. (CT) against the winner of the #2E Albany State University vs. #7E Morehouse College game which will be the final game played today at 9:00 p.m. (CT).