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FRANKFORT, Ky. – After giving up the lead late in regulation, the Kentucky State University men's basketball team fought back to send the game into overtime before pulling away from the visiting Miles College Golden Bears, 85-80, on their way to an SIAC victory on Saturday afternoon at the Exum Center.
 
Trailing by three with just 17 seconds left in Saturday's game, Kentucky State (8-15, 6-10 SIAC) guard Malcolm Smith converted a layup while being fouled by Miles (2-22, 1-16 SIAC) forward Aron Stewart before converting the free-throw to tie the game at 73-73. On the Golden Bears ensuing possession, guard Patrick Jackson dribbled the ball up the floor, drove to the left side of the basket before getting double teamed. Jackson quickly kicked the ball back out to Maiscei Grier who got off an off-balance shot from the elbow with just seconds remaining but the ball bounced off the rim and the teams headed to overtime.
 
In the extra period, Stewart got the Golden Bears on the scoreboard first with a pair of free throws but KSU went on a outscore MC 12-5 the rest of the way to earn the conference win, 85-80. Trailing by two with 2:38 left in the extra period, KSU guard Tryston Ford converted a pair of free throws before hitting a clutch 3-pointer with 2:02 left on the clock. The Thorobreds never trailed again.
 
Ford finished with a game-high 24 points, going 7-of-17 from the floor and 8-of-9 from the charity stripe. Forward Darrien Wilkins picked up a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Wilkins was at the line early and often, finishing 13-of-18 from the free-throw line. Ulysses Thomas III and Malcolm Smith both finished with 13 points.
 
Slashing forward Tavin Cummings led Miles with 22 points, 18 coming in the second half. Grier finished with 16 points and seven rebounds. Stewart added nine points and 14 rebounds.
 
Kentucky State now hits the road for a pair of conference games in Alabama next week. The Thorobreds start with a game against Spring Hill on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m. (CT) before heading to Tuskegee on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 3:00 p.m. (CT).