The Kentucky State University women's basketball team will look for the program's first Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title as the Thorobreds grapple with Lane College 5 p.m. EST Saturday. KSU has now advanced to the SIAC title game for the fourth time, and the first time since falling to Benedict in 2016.

THE LAST MEETING:  Playing without its top two scorers, and with six players total, the Kentucky State University women's basketball team didn't manage enough offense in falling to Lane College on January 26, 55-41, in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action at the William Exum Center.
Junior Kiante Butts registered her second straight double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while senior Vinsetta Covington – in her first start of the season – pulled down a career-best 10 rebounds.

Senior Tara Jefferson added nine points and six rebounds for the Thorobreds.

THE SIAC TOURNAMENT: For the second time in three seasons under Terrance Slater, Kentucky State is playing for a SIAC championship. The Thorobreds are now 5-2 over the last three seasons in the postseason tournament.

THE TEAMS: Kentucky State, the seventh seed in the West, (15-13) has won its three games in SIAC tournament action in upset fashion beating #3W Miles, #2E Albany State and #1W Tuskegee.

After losing the last two games of the regular season, #4W Lane has won three straight games in the SIAC tournament – including handing #1E Benedict its first loss to an SIAC opponent this season.  The Dragons opened postseason play with a win over #5E Paine and #6W Central State.    

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.

Kimberly Anderson is in her third season as the head coach of the Dragons.

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.
 
Despite not having a single player earn All-SIAC honors, the Lane Dragons feature a disruptive backcourt that thrives on defensive pressure. With a 6-2 eraser in Porche' Hannah anchoring the defense, the front court thrives on defense.

The duo of Antrice McCoy and Addie McNeely are averaging double figures with 11.8 and 10.1 points, respectively. In the win in January, McCoy exploded for 26 of the team's 55 points.

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 awaits selection into the NCAA Division II National Tournament.