Box Score FRANKFORT, KY. (Dec. 6, 2017) – Early turnovers and rebounds doomed the Salem University Tigers men's basketball team on the road in a 98-89 loss to the Kentucky State University Thorobreds.
The Tigers committed 11 first half turnovers and were outrebounded 25-14 in the first half, surrendering 10 offensive rebounds to give Kentucky State a 53-34 halftime lead.
After a
Reggie Oliver layup brought Salem University within 16-11, Kentucky State University reeled off a 19-2 run over four minutes. Over that time, the Tigers struggled to connect from the field, shooting 1-for-5 with three turnovers.
Kentucky State's Dorian Jordan capitalize with three of his seven first-half assists, finding Reggie Breeden for two 3-pointers and Kevin Hayes for a layup. Jordan also scored 10 first-half points to lead the Thorobreds, shooting 3-for-9 from the field and 3-for-5 from the free-throw line.
For the half, Kentucky State outscored Salem University 16-5 in point off turnovers and 9-2 in second chance points.
The Tigers lost leading scorer and rebounds
Malik Toppin for the game four minutes into the second half after a hard collision, ending his night with 10 points, six rebounds and three blocks.
Salem University's other four starters stepped up around backup big man
Ferlandis Penny, catching fire from deep to combine for 9-for-17 shooting from 3-point line (52.9 percent) in the second half, while team shot 19-for-35 (54.3 percent) overall to score 55 second-half points. But every time the Tigers got close to cutting the deficit to single figures, the Thorobreds answered.
The Tigers put together one of its most balanced scoring efforts of the season with six players scoring in double figures. Oliver led the team with 19 points and seven assists on 8-for-18 shooting, but struggled to take care of the ball.
In addition to Toppin's 10 points,
Jordan Robinson scored 15 points and six assists, hitting 5-for-9 from the 3-point line.
Ignacio Rodriguez had 12 points, shooting 3-for-5 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line.
Ferlandis Penny had 13 points and six rebounds on 5-for-6 shooting with two blocks.
Dorian Jordan led the Thorobreds with 26 points and 10 assists. Hayes had 16 points, Austin Sherell had 14 points and five rebounds and Breeden and Michael Stevenson had 10 points and six rebounds each.
With the loss, the Tigers drop to 3-4 on the season. They will return home to host the Joe Manchin Classic, playing King University on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m., and Lincoln University on Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.
