FRANKFORT, Ky. – After nearly 40 minutes of maintaining a lead the Kentucky State women's basketball (5-3, 3-2 SIAC) team defeated Fort Valley State (2-6, 2-3 SIAC) 66-62, Thursday night inside the William Exum Center.
From the field, both teams were close as the Thorobreds led, making 46.2% (24-of-52) of their shots and the Wildcats made 45.3% (24-of-53). Fort Valley State led the contest with 32 points in the paint as Kentucky State scored 22. The Thorobreds scored 32 points from the 27 turnovers by the Wildcats.
Gracen Kerr made half her shots from the field (6-of-12) to lead Kentucky State with 18 points, nine rebounds, and three steals. Her teammate
Laurie Thomas followed, shooting 77.78% from the field to score 16 points.
How It Happened
Kentucky State gained an early first-quarter 6-0 lead on two back-to-back three-pointers by Kerr.
Hilani Cantone hit a three-pointer from a turnover to give Kentucky State a ten-point 15-5 advantage with 5:28 remaining in the first quarter.
A late three-pointer from Cantone and a layup by the Wildcats ended the first quarter 20-16 in favor of Kentucky State.
Thomas made three of her four shots to lead both teams with six points in the second quarter. Kentucky State held a 36-29 lead going into the half.
Kentucky State secured their largest lead of the half (15) on a long-range jumper from Kerr, giving her team a 47-32 advantage with 2:56 remaining in the third quarter.
The Thorobreds allowed only nine points in the quarter to lead 50-38 at the end of the third.
Ja'Nia Thompson scored on a second-chance attempt to extend the Kentucky State by 12 (55-43) with 8:06 left in regulation.
Fort Valley State came to within one (56-57) on a layup by Ja'Nya Ferguson. Kentucky State's Thomas responded with a second-chance layup to hold just a slight lead, but the Wildcats went on to score on a turnover to bring the game back to within one (58-59) as 1:29 remained in regulation.
Two made free-throws by Cantone gave the Thorobreds a seven-point 65-58 lead with 20 seconds remaining in the fourth.
A last-minute layup by the Wildcats wasn't enough, as the Thorobreds would take the game 66-62.
Up Next
Kentucky State will host Albany State on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. inside the William Exum Center.
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