FRANKFORT, Ky. – Ogien Ayo notched his third double-double of the season with 14 points and 12 rebounds, but Kentucky State came up short in a tightly contested 59-56 loss to Savannah State on Saturday at the Exum Center.
 
Gregory Melvin shot 5-of-8 from the field to score 11 points while adding five rebounds, three steals and two assists.
 
The Tigers struck first, opening the scoring with the game's initial basket. However, their early lead was short-lived as Ayo's jumper evened the score at 8-8 with 14:57 remaining in the first half.
 
The lead changed hands three times before Savannah State surged ahead with a 7-0 run, taking a 21-15 advantage at the 5:42 mark of the first half.
 
Tyson Brooks sparked a rally for the Thorobreds, narrowing the gap to one at 25-24 and then sinking a turnaround jumper to reclaim a 26-25 lead with just 51 seconds remaining in the half. However, the Tigers responded with a crucial and-one, regaining the lead at 28-26 as the teams headed into halftime.
 
Early in the second half, Ayo's layup and a dunk by Melvin brought the game to a 32-32 tie with 16:49 remaining.
 
Savannah State briefly reclaimed the lead before Keon Henderson's layup pushed the Thorobreds back in front, 35-34, at the 14:56 mark.
 
The Tigers responded with a dominant 14-4 run, building a 48-39 advantage with 9:35 left in the game.
 
Kentucky State mounted a late comeback, scoring five straight points to tie the game at 52-52 on a Lavar Miller Jr. layup with 3:43 to go.
 
However, Savannah State sealed the game with a decisive 7-0 run that extended into the final seconds. Despite a late four-point burst from the Thorobreds, the Tigers held on for a 59-56 victory
 
The Thorobreds will remain at home as they host Edward Waters on Monday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. inside the Exum Center.
 
 
 
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