Box Score
FORT VALLEY, Ga. – The Kentucky State University men's basketball team outlasted the Fort Valley State Wildcats in overtime, 73-71, to earn their first SIAC victory on Monday evening at the HPE Complex.
The victory snaps a six-game losing streak for the Thorobreds who move to 2-6 overall and 1-1 in SIAC action. Fort Valley State remains winless this season as the Wildcats fall to 0-9 overall and 0-2 in SIAC play.
With 27 seconds left in regulation, freshman guard
Malcolm Smith hit a pair of free throws to push the KSU lead to five points at 61-56. On the ensuing possession, FVSU guard Kenneth Harper hit a clutch 3-pointer to pull the Wildcats within two of the Thorobreds. After a Kentucky State turnover, FVSU's De'Mario Black missed a potentially game-tying layup but the Wildcats 7-foot center Ralph Wilson pulled down the board and hit a put back layup with just seconds remaining to send the game into overtime.
In the extra period, starting center
Julius Barton split a pair of free throws to get KSU on the board first. From there, KSU never trailed. After FVSU point guard Derrick Spear converted a layup to tie the game at 71-71, Kentucky State took possession with 13 seconds remaining and a chance to win the game. Starting point guard
Quentin Henderson, who finished with a game-high nine assists, found Smith who hit the game-winning layup with just six seconds remaining on the game clock. A missed shot by Spear sealed the win for Kentucky State.
Senior
Ulysses Thomas III had the hot hand for KSU, pouring in a team-high 18 points. Thomas was incredibly efficient, going 6-of-8 from the floor including 5-of-6 from beyond the arc. Starting center
Julius Barton, coming off a double-double against Albany State on Saturday, added 15 points and six rebounds.
Malcolm Smith had 14 points on a 5-of-7 shooting performance. Senior Markus Montague came off the bench to contribute 13 points, four rebounds and a block. Senior forward
Darrien Wilkins pulled down a game-high 11 boards.
Spear had a game-high 19 points to lead FVSU offensively. He also added five rebounds and a pair of steals. Wilson added 15 points.
The Thorobreds now travel back home where they'll host the Claflin Panthers on Thursday, Jan. 8, at 7:30 p.m.
