Box Score FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky State women's basketball team saw its 13-game home winning streak snapped in a 55-52 loss to Claflin in a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contest Saturday at the Exum Center.
Claflin also dealt the Thorobrettes their last home loss on Jan. 8 and is the only team to beat Kentucky State in the Exum Center over the last two seasons. The Thorobrettes had been in dominant form during the streak, winning 13 straight games and 10 by double digits.
Kentucky State was held to a season-low 52 points in Saturday's game and spent most of it trying to fight back from an early deficit. The Panthers led by as many as eight points in the first quarter at 16-8 and took an 18-13 lead to the quarter break.
Jamesha Mosley, who led Kentucky State with 11 points, scored four points in a 9-1 run that helped the Thorobrettes fight back to take a 22-21 lead midway through the second quarter. Claflin pulled ahead again at the end of the half, sinking a pair of 3-pointers in the final two minutes to take a 33-24 lead to the break.
Claflin held the lead throughout the third quarter and took a 42-38 lead into the fourth, but consecutive baskets by
Shaia Horton tied the game at 42. The Thorobrettes took a brief lead when a Horton 3-pointer and
Logan Powell layup made the score 49-48 with 4:33 left, but Claflin answered with a Shaniece Brown layup and led the rest of the way.
Kentucky State had chances in the closing minutes, but came up empty on three possessions while down 52-51 inside the 2:00 mark.
Alexandra Stanford went to the free throw line with six seconds left and the Thorobrettes trailing 53-51, but was able to convert just one of the attempts. Claflin increased its lead to 55-52 with a pair of free throws, and a desperation 3-point attempt by Horton sailed long as time expired.
Claflin was able to use a size advantage to outrebound Kentucky State 40-29 in the game. The Panthers shot 37 percent (19-of-32) to the Thorobrettes' 36 percent (20-of-56). Brown had 18 points for Claflin to lead all scorers, while teammates Jhontay Giles and Jaquanna Davis each had a game-high 11 rebounds.
Samantha Rundblade connected three times from 3-point range to follow Mosley in the scoring column for Kentucky State with nine points.
Kentucky State falls to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in SIAC play with the loss, while Claflin improves to 5-3 overall and 2-0 in the conference. The Thorobrettes are back in action at home on Monday when they host Benedict at 5:30 p.m. at the Exum Center.
