WILBERFORCE, OH – Four players reached double figures as the Kentucky State University women's basketball team survived a late rally to knock off Salem University, 82-79, Sunday in the second day of the Theresa Cheek Tip-Off Classic. (
Post Game Interviews)
For the second straight game, the Thorobreds had to withstand a rally by their opponents to secure the victory. This time it came after an 11-4 run to start the second half pushed its advantage to 18 points, leading to a Salem timeout. Kentucky State's lead grew to as much as 19 before Salem turned up the pressure.
Salem ended the quarter by scoring 17 of the last 21 points, and then added four more points to start the fourth quarter to pull to within two. However, a basket by junior
Jessie Kee (Indianapolis, IN) to stem the tide, and then she hit a three-pointer on the next possession for the Thorobreds.
The Tigers proceeded to get to within one, twice, but KSU held them at bay with buckets. Kentucky State hit four straight free throws to give it some breathing room, but a pair of missed free throws with 3.7 seconds remaining kept Salem alive. The Tigers, who made more three-pointers (18) than two-point field goals (10), had their game-tying three-pointer bounce off the front of the rim.
Early on, the shooting of the Tigers allowed the game to stay close as the first quarter featured three ties and three lead changes.
Sophomore
Wynter Webb (Buford, GA) opened the second quarter with five straight points and Kentucky State tallied 12 of the first 14 points to open up the game's first double-figure lead. The Thorobreds kept the pressure up, and Salem never got comfortable leading into halftime.
Webb tallied her first double-double of the season with 12 points and a team-high 11 rebounds. Senior
Brooke Wallace (Oberlin, OH) continued to be a force in the paint with 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting with seven rebounds and three steals.
Kee stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, eight rebounds, four steals and two blocks, and sophomore
Erica Jones (South Haven, MS) completed the double-digit quartet with 10 points and nine rebounds.
Kentucky State (2-0 overall) welcomes in Campbellsville University-Harrodsburg 3 p.m. Saturday for the Thorobreds' home opener.
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