BIRMINGHAM – Ka-Leah Ryan's basket with a little over one minute remaining gave the Kentucky State University women's basketball the, 49-48, upset victory over #3W Miles College Tuesday in the opening round of the 2019 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament.

Kentucky State's victory was the first time in the team's three meetings that the team with the halftime lead lost.

Miles split a pair of free throws with 12 seconds remaining to get within one, and then after KSU missed a pair of free throws, the Golden Bears had an opportunity for the victory with 3.6 seconds remaining. However, the jumper in the paint hit the back of the rim and the Thorobreds – seeded seventh in the West – advanced to face #2E Albany State 1 p.m. Thursday. Kentucky State lost to the Golden Rams, 72-69, in overtime on November 26.

It was a hotly contested game that featured 13 lead changes and 10 ties. Kentucky State held the largest lead of the game, a five-point advantage early in the fourth quarter, while the largest Miles lead was four points.

The Thorobreds scored the first five points of the fourth period for the game-best lead, but Miles quickly answered with five points of their own to force another tie.

Senior Brooke Wallace (Oberlin, OH) gave KSU the lead with 4:24 remaining, however, the Golden Bears reclaimed the lead on an offensive rebound and put back with 2:05 left. It stayed that way until Ryan's (Battle Creek, MI) mid-range jumper from the free throw line extended.

Kentucky State's defense was the key to the game as the Thorobreds got off to a slow start on the offensive end. KSU limited Miles to 19.7 percent (13-of-66) shooting. The Golden Bears were able to stay in the game thanks to 22 offensive boards, leading to 17 second-chance points.

Wallace recorded her 16th double-double of the season with 15 points, 11 of which in the second half, and 12 rebounds. Senior Tara Jefferson (Milwaukee, WI) added 11 points off the bench.