CHICAGO – The Kentucky State men's basketball team suffered a tough loss in its season opener, surrendering leads late in regulation and overtime to fall 72-70 to Wilberforce on Saturday in the Windy City Hardwood Classic.

The Thorobreds led by nine points in the second half and four points in overtime, but ultimately it was a shot by the Bulldogs' Shawn Best Jr. with 15 seconds left in overtime that proved to be the game-winner. Kentucky State got one final look, but a shot by Malcolm Smith, who led the Thorobreds with 27 points, missed the mark as time expired.

The game was close throughout, with Kentucky State taking a 34-30 lead to the break after a Dorian Jordan basket at the halftime buzzer. Smith scored six straight points on an 8-2 Kentucky State run early in the second half, then later hit a 3-pointer that gave the Thorobreds the largest lead of the game at 51-42.

A Quentin Henderson basket kept Kentucky State up by nine at 55-46 just inside the 9:00 mark, but the Thorobreds hit a cold spell from the floor after that. Wilberforce went on a 16-4 run in which it held Kentucky State without a field goal for more than eight minutes. Though the run put the Bulldogs up 62-59 on a Devontae Berry shot with 40 seconds left, Kentucky State managed to send the game to overtime on a 3-pointer with 10.9 seconds left.

Overtime started favorably for the Thorobreds, with William Bryant and Smith knocking down jumpers for a 66-62 lead. Wilberforce battled back with six straight points for a 68-66 lead, and though Kentucky State was twice able to tie on baskets by Smith and Julius Barton in the final 1:08, Wilberforce came out ahead on Best's shot.

Bryant added 13 points and 12 rebounds for Kentucky State, while Breeden chipped in 10 points and 10 boards. Berry was Wilberforce's top scorer with 19 points, with Best adding 13.

For the game, Kentucky State shot 46 percent (30-of-65), while Wilberforce shot 39 percent (29-of-75). The Thorobreds held a 49-38 rebounding advantage but turned the ball over 22 times to the Bulldogs' 14.

With the result, Kentucky State starts out 0-1 and Wilberforce 1-0 in their respective season debuts. The Thorobreds are back on the court at home when they host Asbury at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Exum Center.