The Kentucky State University women's basketball team plays in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference semifinals for the second time in as many seasons. Kentucky State, which will play the West Division champion for the second straight year, advanced with a 46-44 win over #2E Albany State Thursday.

THE LAST MEETING:  The Kentucky State University women's basketball team fell in the regular season finale to Tuskegee on February 18, 66-52, in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action at the William Exum Center.

Junior Jessie Kee  led the team with 14 points and six rebounds, while junior Amani Williams added 13 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Senior Brooke Wallace, who was limited to just 20 minutes due to foul trouble, pulled down a team-high eight boards.

THE SIAC TOURNAMENT: In the three seasons under Terrance Slater, Kentucky State is 4-2 in the postseason tournament. This is the first time the teams have met in the SIAC tournament since they played in the 2008 SIAC Championship game. The Golden Tigers registered the 59-55 victory.

THE TEAMS: Kentucky State, the seventh seed in the West, (15-13) has won its two games in SIAC tournament action in upset action beating #3W Miles and #2E Albany State.

Tuskegee (20-6), the West Division champions, come into the game winners in eight of its last nine games.   

THE COACHES: Terrance Slater is in his third season as the head coach, and fifth season with the program. He led Kentucky State to the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference semifinals a season ago. He was an assistant the last time KSU advanced to the SIAC title game.

Trelanne Moore-Powell is in her first season as the Tuskegee head coach, taking over the Golden Tigers after a three year stint as the assistant coach at Division I Mercer University.

THE PLAYERS: Senior Brooke Wallace is one of four SIAC players averaging a double-double as the forward is scoring 12.4 points and pulling down 10.6 rebounds, both team highs. She has recorded a team-high 16 double-doubles. Wallace earned second team All-SIAC honors.

Junior Jessie Kee ended the season with back-to-back SIAC Newcomer of the Week honors. She is second on the team with 11.2 points with 6.2 boards. Kee picked up honorable mention honors from the SIAC.

Sophomore Erica Jones, after missing three games late in the season, has returned to the lineup.  She is third on the team with 10.1 points and third with 5.5 rebounds. Junior Kiante Butts is second on the team in rebounding with 7.9 boards. Junior Amani Williams leads the team with 103 assists.
 
Tuskegee is led by SIAC Player and Newcomer of the Year Alexis Carter. She is third in the conference with 18.8 points and leads the league with 12.4 rebounds. The Golden Tigers' forward trio of Carter, Jade Wilson and Shelle Daniels are responsible for 60 percent of the team's production.
Wilson is second on the team with 11.7 points, while Daniels is adding 9.0 points for TU. Sophomore India Blakely leads the team with 108 assists.

SOCIAL MEDIA: Kentucky State University athletics is represented on Facebook (KSUThorobreds), Twitter (@KYSUAthletics) and Instagram (@KYSUAthletics). For your game day coverage, follow on Twitter (@KYSUGameday) and on Instagram (KYSU_Gameday). Follow all the happenings of Kentucky State University on social media by using the hashtags "#BredToWin" & "KSUForward."

WHAT'S NEXT: The winner of the Kentucky State/Tuskegee game advances to the SIAC Finals 5 p.m. Saturday.