Seniors Grant Goode and Jordan Little combined for a play that will forever live in Kentucky State lore as the Thorobreds sent a capacity crowd of 2,750 fans streaming onto the court in celebration.


With 1.2 seconds remaining, Goode's full-court pass landed softly into the hands of Little around the free throw line and Little calmly sank the game-winning jumper for the 77-75 victory over rival Central State in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action at the William Exum Center.

Moments before Goode (Matawan, N.J.) and Little (Jersey City, N.J.) combined for the epic finish, senior Orlando Fikes (Detroit, Mich.) gave the Thorobreds a chance. Fikes stepped in to take a charge on an out of control Marauder guard.

It helped Kentucky State shake off the sting of losing a 14-point lead with a shade under six minutes remaining. A four-point play with two minutes left capped a 17-3 run to pull Central State even.



Fikes drilled a very deep three to get the crowd frenzied, but a foul on a three-pointer enabled CSU to pull even again. Senior Shaq Athie (Cincinnati, Ohio) split a pair of free throws, but Central State took the lead on a pair of free throws with 32 seconds remaining. Goode pulled Kentucky State even splitting a pair of free throws setting up the game winner.

Kentucky State scored 11 of the game's first 13 points, but a 26-5 run by the visitors put the Thorobreds into a 12-point hole.

Sophomore Jah Bennett (Columbus, Ohio) was fouled on a dunk and completed the three-point point that got the 'Breds and the crowd going. A jumper by sophomore Aaron Howard (Ypsilanti, Mich.) was followed by back-to-back three-pointers by Fikes and Kentucky State trailed by just one. The Thorobred dominance continued and once the dust cleared on the half-ending 19-4 run, Kentucky State took a three-point lead into halftime.

The home team pushed their lead to double figures midway through the second half, and it was up to as much as 14 points with 5:43 remaining. The aforementioned CSU run set up the Kentucky State theatrics.

Goode recorded his first double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Athie registered his fifth double-double of the year with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Fikes finished with 14 points and graduate Felix Wilson (Lexington, Ky.) finished with 12 points and a team-high five assists.

Kentucky State (10-16 overall, 7-12 SIAC) awaits its seeding for the upcoming Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament. If Spring Hill wins either of its final two games, Kentucky State will be the Western Division's seventh seed.