FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky State women's basketball falls in conference opener to Savannah State 61-53 Saturday afternoon in Frankfort, Kentucky.
 
Kentucky State shot 80% (4-of-5) from the free throw line led by Taleah Dilworth who made all three of her attempts in the first quarter. Savannah State turned the ball over seven times, giving Kentucky State six steals. The Thorobreds tallied two blocks, one by Lauren Powell and another by Naja Fenelon. The quarter ended in a 15-15 tie.
 
The Tigers shot well in the second quarter, going 100%(2-of-2) from the free throw line and 50% (4-of-8) from the field. They held the Thorobreds to six points to go into halftime with a 32-21 lead.
 
In the third quarter, the Thorobreds shot 83.3% (5-of-6) from the charity stripe as Laurie Thomas and Hilani Cantone each shot 100% (2-of-2) at the line. Kentucky State outscored Savannah State 12-11 at the end of the third quarter.
 
Savannah State made all six free throws (100%) and three-point attempts (100%) in the fourth quarter. The Tigers turned the ball over eight times, leading to 15 points from turnovers by Kentucky State. The Thorobreds bench scored in the double digits with 11 points. A robust late performance by Kentucky State wasn't enough to overcome Savannah State, as they would win the game 61-53.
 
A pair of Thorobreds scored in double figures, Dilworth (12) and Fenelon (11). Jasmine Elder led Kentucky State with five steals, and her teammates Nina Blade and Kerr would add four steals each. Elder also led her team with six rebounds, five offensive rebounds and one defensive rebound.
 
 
How It Happened
Savannah State Mia Goolsby scored the contest's first points on a long-range jumper. Kerr responded with a three pointer assisted by Sydney Thomas to tie the game 3-3 at 9:26 in the first quarter.
 
Cantone gave Kentucky State an early 5-3 first quarter lead on a lay-up assisted by Kerr.
 
Savannah State capitalized on a Kentucky State Turnover as Bria Gibbs made a lay-up. Nyla Allen extended Savannah States first quarter lead to 8-5 on a layup.
 
Elder brought the Thorobred to within one (13-12) on a lay-up.
 
Kentucky State tied the game 15-15 on an and one by Cantone in the final moments to end the first quarter tied.
 
Ja'Nia Thompson hit a jumper, and Nina Blade made a shot from inside the three point line to extend the Thorobreds lead to 21-18 at 7:12 in the second quarter.
 
Savannah State took a 23-21 lead on a three point play by K'lya Hankerson midway through the second quarter (5:16).
 
The Tigers went on a 14-0 run in the second half to take a 30-21 lead going into halftime.
 
Kentucky State outscored Savannah State 12-10 in the third quarter closing on the 43-33 Savannah State lead at the end of the third quarter.
 
A 7-0 Savannah State run in the fourth quarter extended their lead to 52-38 with 6:11 remaining in the fourth quarter.
 
Up Next
Kentucky State will host SIAC opponent Edward Waters on Monday, November 28 at 5:30 p.m. The game has been moved to the Transylvania University at the Clive M. Beck Center in Lexington, Kentucky.
   
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