Box Score FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky State pulled away in the final minutes to pick up its second straight win, defeating Claflin 84-74 in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men's basketball action Saturday at the Exum Center.

Dorian Jordan filled up the stat sheet with 21 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Julius Barton added 13 points for the Thorobreds. Malcolm Smith chipped in 12 and Kevin Shaw 11 for Kentucky State, while Patrell Rogers led Claflin with 21.

The first half was closely contested with seven ties and eight lead changes. Down 16-15, the Thorobreds put together an 11-0 run over a three minute stretch to go up 26-16. Claflin fought back, however, chipping away at the lead and eventually going to halftime tied at 37.

The Panthers opened the second half with an Austin Lawton layup to go up 39-37, but it would be their last lead of the day. Reggie Breeden answered with a 3-pointer and made a layup on the next possession to spark a 10-2 run that would have Kentucky State playing from ahead the rest of the way.

Claflin twice tied the score midway through the half, but each time Kentucky State answered to take back the lead. Still holding onto a single digit lead at the 6:00 mark, Jordan made a jumper and two layups high off the glass in the span of a minute to extend the Thorobreds' lead to 13 points at 76-63 with 4:42 to play.

With the Thorobreds shooting 23-of-26 from the free throw line on the day, including making their first 21 attempts, Claflin was not able to come any closer than eight points down the stretch.

Claflin shot 44 percent (28-of-64) from the field to Kentucky State's 39 percent (28-of-72) and 50 percent (7-of-14) from outside to the Thorobreds' 29 percent (5-of-17). However, Kentucky State was able to cancel out that advantage with the 89 percent performance from the line and a 46-33 rebounding edge. The Thorobreds also turned the ball over 16 times while forcing 24 by Claflin and held a 26-12 advantage in points off turnovers.

With the win, Kentucky State evens its overall record at 3-3 on the season, while improving to 2-0 in SIAC play. The Panthers drop to 2-5 overall and 0-2 in the conference. The Thorobreds are back in action at the Exum Center on Monday when they host Benedict at 7:30 p.m.