FRANKFORT, Ky. – Spring Hill College used an 11-0 run at the end of regulation to propel them to a stunning 61-59 overtime victory against Kentucky State on Thursday night at the Exum Center.
Spring Hill (6-12, 5-4 SIAC) grabbed a fast 6-0 lead over Kentucky State (4-10, 4-5 SIAC), but it was the Thorobreds that controlled for most of Thursday’s game. KSU held the lead for almost 32 minutes (71 percent) of the contest.
The Thorobreds built their lead to a many as 11 points in the first half when Ivan Hooker connected on a jumper to push the score to 30-19 in favor of KSU at halftime.
In the second half, Kentucky State came out as the aggressor and pushed their lead to 14 when Darrien Wilkins hit a layup to put the Thorobreds ahead 43-28 with 12:35 remaining. Spring Hill responded with a 9-0 run to cut the KSU lead to six before the momentum swung back to KSU who went on a 8-3 run of their own. When Ulysses Thomas III hit a 3-pointer with just under four minutes remaining to push KSU’s lead back to 11, everything looked to be going the Thorobreds way.
Unfortunately for KSU, they wouldn’t get on the scoreboard again in regulation. SHC went on an improbable 11-0 run to close out regulation and send the game into overtime.
Still reeling from the final minutes of the second half, Kentucky State was unable to bounce back in overtime. After a pair of free throws from Tryston Ford gave KSU a one-point advantage at 53-52, Spring Hill took the lead right back with a pair of free throws from center Dejan Stefanovic and never looked back.
Despite the loss, Kentucky State had several bright spots on Thursday. Ulysses Thomas III scored a game-high 18 points to go along with five rebounds and three steals. Point guard Quentin Henderson finished with seven points, a game-high seven assists and three steals. Darrien Wilkins finished with a team-high seven rebounds while also dropping in five points and picking up three steals. Ivan Hooker had some solid minutes off the bench with four points, a pair of boards and a steal.
Junior guard Wesley Pietri had 13 points to lead SHC while sophomore center Stefvanovic added 12 points to go along with five board. DeVaughn Hardrick also pitched in with 10 points and a game-high eight rebounds. SHC controlled the boards with a 43-34 edge in rebounding.
Kentucky State continues their current three-game home stand when they host Tuskegee on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the Exum Center.
ksuthorobreds.com
