FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky State men’s basketball team hosted the LeMoyne-Owen Magicians on Monday, Jan. 27, for Coaches vs. Cancer Night at the William Exum Center.
The Thorobreds set the tone, quickly establishing the fast-break offense and scoring 20 points off it. LeMoyne-Owen, despite the Thorobreds’ fast start, managed to stay relatively close. With the aggressive 3-point shooting from Kentucky State, the Magicians struggled to keep up failing to take the lead during the first half. At the half, the Thorobreds held a 40-36 lead, with the hopes of turning it into a double-digit lead.
For 33 minutes the Thorobreds held the lead but all that came to an end as the Magicians came out the half with adjustments. LeMoyne-Owen caused 8 lead changes, Kentucky State’s offense didn’t have the same explosives as it did in the first half, but with key players rallying together like Ogien Ayo who led the team with 20 points, Lavar Miller Jr. who dropped 13 points, and Aziel Blackwell who put up 14 points. Aziel Blackwell put up a clutch turnaround jump shot putting the Thorobreds up 70-69, As the final seconds of the nail-biter game happened the Magicians had an opportunity to take the lead, but the Thorobreds’ defense stepped up, capturing the 72-69 win.
With the win added to the column, Kentucky State’s record goes to 10-9 of the season, as the team continues to fight for good seeding in the slowly approaching Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship Tournament.
