COLUMBIA, S.C. – Kentucky State outlasts Benedict in a second half dogfight to defeat the Benedict Tigers 90-87 Monday evening in Columbia, South Carolina.
Kentucky State led the contest, shooting 53.4% from the field and 41.4% from the three point line.
Kong Kong was hot, making three of his last four shots from the field and completing five of his final six shots from the three point line to tally 17 points.
Jalon Andrews was also hot as he made five of his final six attempts, and
Tyson Brooks shot 100% (4-of-4) from the field.
Jay Murrell and Andrews earned 16 points apiece. Murrell would also grab 12 rebounds to earn a double-double.
How It Happened
The game opened to four lead changes in the first five minutes of the first half.
Kentucky State was able to jump ahead by three (13-10) on a three pointer by Jacobs.
Ifeoluwa Shoyoye extended the Thorobred's lead to 15-10 with 12:54 remaining in the first half.
Benedict took an 18-17 very briefly as Kong would make a three pointer to give the Thorobreds a 20-18 lead midway (11:30) through the first half.
Murrell extended the lead to 12(45-33) on three-pointer with 2:07 remaining in the first half.
Benedict scored the final three points of the first half, closing on the 46-39 Kentucky State lead.
A three pointer from Andrews and a dunk from Brooks gave the Thorobreds a 52-42 lead with 17:57 remaining in the second half. The Tigers responded with a three-pointer, and Andrews hit a three to regain the ten-point 55-45 lead.
An 8-0 run by Benedict would tie the game at 61-61 at 11:44 in the second half. On a free throw, the Tigers took a brief lead as
Aziel Blackwell made three of his four attempts at the charity stripe giving his team a 64-62 lead.
The Tigers made a free throw and jumper to take a 65-64 lead at 10:33 in the second half.
Brooks hit a quick midrange jumper, followed by a three pointer by Kong, giving Kentucky State a 69:54 lead with 9:48 remaining in the second half.
At 1:43 in the second half, Benedict made a layup to tie that game at 84-84.
Jacobs made both free throws to regain the Kentucky State lead of 86-84. The Tigers hit a three pointer giving them an 87-86 lead. Andrews came clutch as he tied the game 87-87 on his first free throw and took back the lead 88-87 on a good second attempt.
Andrews stunned the Tigers with a dunk in the final seconds of the second half to send the Thorobreds to a 90-87 victory.
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