Box Score
FRANKFORT, Ky. - The Kentucky State University men's basketball team came up just short, 49-48, in a conference matchup against the visiting Tuskegee University Golden Tigers on Saturday afternoon at the Exum Center.
Besides the blowout loss to Morehouse, KSU has lost all of its conference games by an average of just 3.8 points.
Kentucky State (4-11, 3-6 SIAC) went on an early 6-0 run at the start of the game and held the lead for most of the first half until an easy layup from Lorenzo Moore of Tuskegee (9-8, 6-4 SIAC) gave the Golden Tigers a one-point advantage, 22-21, at halftime.
In the second half, the teams went back-and-forth with neither team gaining a lead of more than five points. With just 23 seconds on the game clock, KSU guard Malcolm Smith split a pair of free-throws to put the Thorobreds up by one, 48-47, but on the Golden Tigers next possession David Alexander hit a layup with just seven seconds remaining to put TU back on top. In the final seconds Darrien Wilkins got off a 3-point attempt but it was off the mark and Tuskegee escaped with the conference win.
Both teams were held in check on Monday by the stifling defense of the opponent. KSU shot just 28 percent (12-for-43) from the floor while TU was only slightly better at 32 percent (15-for-47). While both squads limited their turnovers, easy shots were few and far between.
Starting center Markus Montague led the Thorobreds with 14 points to go along with six rebounds and a pair of blocks. Forward Darrien Wilkins finished with 12 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Point guard Quentin Henderson finished with six points, five boards and three steals. Kentucky State's leading scorer, Ulysses Thomas III, was held scoreless for the first time this season after going 0-of-4 from the floor.
Tuskegee's David Alexander and Kevin May led the Golden Tigers with 10 points and five rebounds apiece. James Vinson, Elijah McMillian and Lorenzo Moore all finished with seven points.
Kentucky State now looks forward to this Monday, Jan. 26, when they host rival Central State at the Exum Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
If you missed the game you can watch the replay on demand right HERE!
