ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands – Kentucky State men's basketball falls to West Virginia State 110-80 in their first game of the YES U.S. Virgin Islands Classic Sunday in the U.S. Virgin Islands. 
 
The West Virginia State Yellow Jackets were hot in the first half going 64.5% (20-of-31) from the field and 52.9% (9-of-17) from the three-point. Jay Murrell led the Thorobreds with 14 points as they shot 41.2% (14-of-34) from the field. Kentucky State trailed West Virginia State 55-34 at the end of the first half. 
 
In the second half, the Kentucky State controlled the paint outscoring the Yellow Jackets 26-22. The Thorobreds made 71.4% (15-of-21) of their shots at the free throw line, as both Brandon Hill and Montrell Jacobs made 100% of their attempts. West Virginia State continued their success beyond the arch, making eight shots to defeat the Thorobreds 110-80. 
 
Murrell was 8-of-15 from the field to lead Kentucky State with 20 points and nine rebounds. Alongside Murrell, three more Thorobreds scored in the double digits, Jacobs (17), Aziel Blackwell (13), and Elijiah Lockhart (11). Both Tyson Brooks and Kong Kong tallied seven rebounds each.
 
Kentucky State will continue play at the YES U.S. Virgin Islands Classic tomorrow, Monday, January 2, to Clinton College at 1:30 p.m. AST. The game can be watched live at by CLICKING HERE , the team with the most views will be invited to return next year. 
 
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