The Kentucky State University women's basketball team kicks off the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament 8 p.m. Monday as the Thorobreds play rival Central State at the Rock Hill Sports and Entertainment Center.

The two teams split their season series with each team winning on their own court. Central State claimed the first meeting on January 11, 54-51, and then the Thorobreds won the season finale, 60-45.

REBOUNDING: Kentucky State is fifth in rebounding margin at plus 3.3 and sits second in the SIAC in defensive rebounding (35.3 rpg). The winner of the rebounding margin has won the game this season. Central State was plus-two in the January victory and KSU was plus-13 in the Thorobreds' 15-point win.

SECOND CHANCES: Securing the defensive rebound could be pivotal in the game. Kentucky State limited the Marauders to just four second-chance points in the win, but allowed 19 second-chance points in the loss.

SOMETHING TO PONDER: Junior Allenia Ponder is second in the conference with 2.5 steals per game. She has a team-high 53 steals and leads the team with 57 assists.

EFFICIENCY: Kentucky State has three players averaging double figures with senior forward Victoria Blankenship (12.4 ppg) leading the way. Blankenship is ranked ninth in the conference in field-goal percentage (47.5 percent). She is also second on the team with 6.1 rebounds per game. Senior Carnethia Brown and junior Erica Jones are tied for second in scoring with 11.6 points.

DOWNTOWN NEE NEE BROWN: Senior Carnethia Brown is second on the team with 11.6 points per game. She is third in the SIAC with 53 three-pointers made and is making 34.2 percent of her three-point attempts which is good for seventh in the conference.

FROM DEEP: Kentucky State leads the conference in three-point shooting, making 32.2 percent from beyond the arc.

SCOUTING THE MARAUDERS: Central State enters the tournament winners in six of its last eight games, including two straight to end the season.

The Marauders are led by senior Takyra Gilbert, who is the only Central State player averaging double figures. The guard, who recently scored her 1,000th career point, is averaging 14.5 points per game. She leads the teams in three pointers (59), free throws (97), assists (117), steals (63) and turnovers (86).

Junior forward Cameryn Dubose is leading the Marauders with 8.1 rebounds.

Tickets are available at the door and can be purchased for $10 a day. An all-tournament pass for $50 is also available. You can watch the game live via FloSports. You can follow Kentucky State University athletics on Twitter (@KYSUAthletics), Instagram (KYSUAthletics), Facebook (KSUThorobreds) and YouTube (Kentucky State University Thorobreds).