MOBILE, Ala. – Spring Hill College closed the game on an 8-0 run but was unable to complete its comeback, falling to Kentucky State University, 63-60, Monday night in Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation Center.
After leading the first 24 minutes of action, Spring Hill lost its lead with less than six minutes to play in the third quarter on a basket by Brook Wallace. The basket was part of a 10-0 run to put Kentucky State up by seven, 44-37, with 4:22 to play in the third quarter. That lead grew as high as 11 points, 63-52, on another Wallace basket with 4:30 to play in the game.
Spring Hill went on to shut down the Thoroughbreds' offense, forcing four turnovers and three missed shots by KSU in the final four minutes.
Katie Krout and
Tiffany Valentine combined for eight points in two minutes to pull within three points, 63-60, but the Badgers turned the ball over twice down the stretch with Wallace coming up with a steal on the final possession to clinch Kentucky State's win.
The Badgers opened the game with a 17-2 lead on 64.6 percent (7-of-11) shooting, paced by a trio of Mathilde Nichols 3-pointers in the first seven minutes. Kentucky State charged back with a similar start to the second quarter, outscoring the Badgers, 12-6 to make it a four-point game, 26-22, with four minutes to go in the half. A pair of
Ava Verner baskets sent Spring Hill into the locker room with a 34-26 lead.
Krout and Valentine finished the game with 18 and 17 points, respectively, and Nicholas added 13 points.
Jessie Kee led KSU with 20 points and eight rebounds, followed by 14 points and seven rebounds from Amani Williams. Kiante Butts added 12 points and Wallace finished with eight points, six boards and six blocked shots.
Spring Hill (10-12, 6-7 SIAC) will close out its home schedule Thursday night when it hosts Miles College at 5:30 p.m. on Senior Night before beginning a three-game road swing.
