FRANKFORT, Ky. –With five players in double-figures, the Salem University men's basketball team downed Kentucky State 91-82 on the road in a hostile environment, Thursday night. 
 
This marks the second time this season that Salem has defeated Kentucky State. Earlier this season the Tigers won 73-67 on December 8th. 
 
With the win, Salem jumps to 12-7, while Kentucky State falls to 7-12. 
 
Salem shot an outstanding 53.3 percent from the field (32-60) and 48 percent from three (12-25), while Kentucky State shot 33.8 percent (25-74) from the field and just 14.3 percent (4-28) from three.
 
The Tiger controlled most of the game as they held the lead for 71.5 percent of the time with the largest lead coming with 51 seconds remaining in the game, leading 87-75. 
 
Freshman Fonz Hale led the Tigers' offensive attack as he notched a game-high 25 points, his third 20-point game of the year and tying a career-high, grabbed three rebounds and dished out four assists, while junior Malique Ross tallied 17 points, grabbed seven rebounds and handed out four assists. 
 
Senior Ferlandis Penny produced 14 points to go along with three blocks, while senior Christopher Shields netted 12 points.
 
Senior Malik Toppin notched his team-leading 10th double-double of the season as he garnered 12 points and 12 rebounds. 
 
In the first half, Salem opened the game with a 6-2 lead after a made layup by Penny at 17:27 in the first half. The Tigers and Kentucky State battled back and forth in the first half as there were several lead changes. 
 
The Tigers held its largest lead of the first half with one minute remaining, as Ross found Hale who knocked down a triple for a 40-33 lead. The Tigers held the advantage heading into intermission. 
 
In the second half, Salem jumped up to an 11 point lead on Kentucky State  (51-40) with 13:31 remaining in regulation after a made free throw from senior Marko Tutunovic. 
 
Kentucky State then went on a 16-3 run, as it led Salem 55-54 after a made three-pointer with 10:45 remaining in the second half. Salem and Kentucky exchanged the lead three times after, but the Tigers captured the lead and held on. 
 
The Tigers extended their lead to 73-63 with 4:28 remaining, as Hale found Shields for a layup. 
 
Salem hit a few free throws down the stretch that secured the win.
 
The Tigers are back in action Saturday as they host Bluefield State at 4:00 p.m. following the women's contest.