FRANKFORT, Ky. - The Kentucky State women's basketball team is back in the win column after snapping a seven-game losing streak, defeating Lane College 53-50 Saturday in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action at the William Exum Center.

Kentucky State improves to 5-10 overall and 2-6 in the SIAC, while Lane falls to 4-10 overall and 3-4 in the SIAC. It was KSU's fifth straight one-possession game, and the first time the Thorobreds were able to secure the win.

TURNING POINT
Kentucky State limited its visitors to just one basket in the fourth quarter as the Dragons were a dismal 1-of-13 from the field in the last 10 minutes.

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Senior forward Victoria Blankenship (Fayetteville, N.C.) was a paint beast, as she went for a game-high 17 points on 5-of-7 shooting, and a game-high 11 rebounds. This is Blankenship's tenth double-figure performance, and third double-double this season. She also played a team-high 35 minutes.

Junior forward Erica Jones (South Haven, Miss) converted half her shots, converting 4-of-8 from the field, tallying a total of 10 points. She added a team-high four assists, and was second on the team with 33 minutes played.


COACH SPEAK
"The last two weeks my team has really locked in during practice, focused on the little things, details and execution down the stretch," said Kentucky State University Associate Head Coach Latear Eason. "I put them in game situations at the end of practice, and it really helped them today."

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Despite trailing big at the start, Lane was able to inch back and take a six-point-lead with two minutes left in the third. Lane's momentum did not seem to discourage Kentucky State, as the Thorobreds continued to scrap, tying the game at 49 a piece with seven minutes remaining in the game.

A layup by Blankenship with 4:55 left gave Kentucky State a 51-50 lead. Since that score, both teams went on an almost five-minute scoring drought, until senior guard Amani Williams (Scotch Plains, N.J.) secured the late victory for the squad, knocking down two clutch free throws with two seconds left.

Kentucky State continued to crash the boards, totaling 40 rebounds allowing for 10 second-chance points. The Thorobreds, one of the top SIAC teams in rebounding margin, was plus-11 in the contest.

The game featured seven lead changes and four ties.

Next Up
Kentucky State returns to action in a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matchup against Miles College, 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25 in Fairfield, Al.