MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Duo Lavar Miller Jr. and Aziel Blackwell combine for 42 points as Kentucky State men's basketball edges LeMoyne-Owen 77-71 Monday night in Memphis, Tennessee. 
 
Both Blackwell and Miller recorded 21 points on the night as they both made two shots from beyond the arc. 
 
Ogien Ayo shot went a perfect 5-of-5 at the charity stripe that led 15 points while recording seven rebounds. 
 
Junior forward Gregory Melvin opened the scoring on the first possession, but LeMoyne-Owen responded with an early run to take an 11-6 lead at the 15:55 mark of the first half.
 
Kentucky State answered with a 9-2 surge, fueled by five points from senior guard Lavar Miller Jr., to pull ahead 25-22 with 8:16 remaining in the half. The Magicians later tied the game at 28-28 on a jumper at the 4:13 mark, but the Thorobreds closed the half strong, using a short run to take a 42-34 lead into the break.
 
LeMoyne-Owen opened the second half with an 11-2 run, surging ahead 51-50 with 11:30 left to play.
 
Miller helped Kentucky State regain control, scoring five points during a 7-2 run capped by a pull-up jumper from Blackwell, putting the Thorobreds up 63-59 with six minutes remaining.
 
Kentucky State maintained its edge down the stretch, holding off LeMoyne-Owen for a 77-71 victory.
 
UP NEXT
Kentucky State closes out their home schedule on Monday, February 17 to the Spring Hill Badgers, tip is slated for 7:30 p.m. inside of the William Exum Center.   
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