WILBERFORCE, Ohio –  After holding the lead for 96.4% of the game alongside a 31-point lead in the fourth quarter excelled, Kentucky State to an 84-64 victory at rival Central State on Saturday evening.  
 
Laurie Thomas shot 76.9% from the field to lead Kentucky State with 22, followed by 21 points from Taleah Dilworth and 19 from Gracen Kerr. 
 
Thomas led both teams with nine rebounds as her teammates Jasmine Elder tallied 8, Hilani Cantone earned seven, and Dilworth rounded out the Thorobreds with six. 
 
Cantone led the contest with eight assists as Kerr followed with six. 
 
How It Happened 
Laurie Thomas scored the first points on a layup assisted by Gracen Kerr, which the Marauders answered quickly to tie the game 2-2 early in the first quarter. A pair of made free throws by Thomas gave the Thorobreds a 22-13 first-quarter lead. 
 
Kentucky State scored on the opening possession on a three-pointer by Kerr, giving the Thorobreds a 25-13 at 9:40 in the second quarter. 
 
Taleah Dilworth made both free throws giving the Thorobreds an 11-point, 33-22 lead with 4:15 remaining in the second quarter. She hit a jumper and a free throw to extend the Kentucky State lead to 41-31 going into the half.  
 
The Thorobreds were hot early in the third quarter, going on a 12-0 run, led by five from both Dilworth and Kerr, giving their team a 53-33 lead at 7:58 in the third quarter. A final bucket by Jasmine Elder gave the Thorobreds a 66-47 lead at the end of the third.
 
Thomas tallied her 22nd point of the night on a layup at 6:21 in the fourth quarter. 
 
Kerr followed with a jumper to earn 19 points and extend the Kentucky State lead to 27 points, 80-53, with 5:58 remaining in the fourth quarter. Kentucky State went on to defeat Central State 84-64. 
 
Up Next
Kentucky State women's basketball will travel to Miles College on Monday, Jan. 16 for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff. 
 
 
 
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