Central State Falls to Kentucky State After Fourth Quarter Collapse

Frankfort, KY — Despite leading for much of the game, the Central State Lady Marauders suffered a tough 51-47 loss to rival Kentucky State at the William Exum HPER Center on Saturday afternoon. A dominant fourth quarter by the Thorobreds proved to be the difference, as they outscored Central State 21-8 in the final frame to secure the comeback victory.

The Lady Marauders looked in control through the first three quarters, holding Kentucky State to just 30 points while building a 39-30 lead. However, shooting struggles and turnovers plagued Central State in the final period, allowing Kentucky State to mount a game-changing rally in front of a larger homecoming crowd for the home KSU team. 

Game Highlights

Central State came out strong, shooting 40% from the field in the first quarter and building a 16-13 advantage. Dashanti Miller led the charge early with key rebounds and inside scoring, finishing the game with 8 points and 11 rebounds. Laila Christmon also contributed with 6 points and 10 rebounds.

The Lady Marauders maintained their lead through the second and third quarters, holding Kentucky State to just 7 points in the third. Heading into the final period, Central State looked poised for victory with a nine-point cushion.

However, the fourth quarter belonged to the Thorobreds. Kentucky State's Naja Fenelon and Khalia Bryant took over, combining for 14 of the team's 21 fourth-quarter points. Bryant's relentless attack earned her 9 trips to the free-throw line, where she converted 9 of 10 attempts. She finished the game with a double-double, recording 13 points and 13 rebounds.

Central State's offensive woes were evident in the final 10 minutes. The Lady Marauders shot just 16.67% from the field and committed costly turnovers, finishing with 27 for the game. Kentucky State capitalized on these mistakes, turning them into 14 points. The Marauders continue to struggle to consistently find scoring in stretches of the games.  They must rebound quickly to continue the SIAC playoff pursuit.  

Key Stats:

• Central State Shooting: 30.8% from the field, 25% from three-point range

• Kentucky State Shooting: 27.3% from the field, 17.6% from three-point range

• Rebounds: Kentucky State 49, Central State 43

• Turnovers: Central State 27, Kentucky State 20

• Bench Points: Central State 21, Kentucky State 12

Notable Performances:

• Central State: Dashanti Miller (8 points, 11 rebounds), Laila Christmon (6 points, 10 rebounds), Nadya McCown (7 points, 5 rebounds)

• Kentucky State: Naja Fenelon (14 points, 4 steals), Khalia Bryant (13 points, 13 rebounds), Mondrea Williams (12 points, 17 rebounds)

Despite the loss, Central State (9-10, 7-6 SIAC) showed promise on defense and rebounding but will need to address their fourth-quarter scoring struggles. Kentucky State (7-13, 6-7 SIAC) earned a crucial victory, buoyed by their resilience and strong free-throw shooting.

The Lady Marauders will look to bounce back in their next matchup vs LeMoyne-Owen as they continue their push for a strong finish in conference play.