The Thorobreds (0-4) have started off the season winless over their first four games for the first time since the 2009-2010 season. The Dragons (2-2) picked up their first win since the season opener on Nov. 10 against Ohio Dominican.
“We gave up 19-second-chance point and 48 points in the paint tonight,” said head coach Jamaal Jackson. “We weren’t tough enough around the basket, on either end. We missed too many layups and gave up too many scores, along with offensive rebounds. Without William (Bryant) and Deandre (Wynn), we don’t have our nasty guys, so others will have to step into that role and get the dirty work done.”
KSU was put in an early hole as TU jumped ahead 11-0 in the opening 3:30 of the matchup. The Thorobreds kept it close after that pulling within two at the half 43-41. Hayes played a significant role as he accounted for 16 points in the first frame.
The second half proved to be much more of a close encounter as the two squads exchanged leads and neither held a lead of more than five points. As Hayes contributed in the first half, it was senior guard Reggie Breeden doing the same in the second half, as he scored 11 of his 20 points in the half.
KSU took its first lead of the game at 17:23 after a pair of made free throws by Breeden to put the score at 48-47. The green and gold expanded the lead to three at 52-49, but it was short-lived as TU went on a 17-11 run to go back up by five with a little over 12 minutes to play. KSU brought the game back to a stalemate at 70-70 following a made three-point bucket by junior guard Felix Wilson at 7:51. The game remained within five points, but KSU couldn’t regain the lead in the final seven minutes.
Hayes ended his night with a team-high 22 points off of 7-of-12 shooting from the floor, including 2-for-3 from beyond the arc. Wilson stepped up in the starting point guard role with a career-high 12 points and a team-high seven assists in place of senior guard Dorian Jordan. Junior forward Austin Sherrell added 19 points and a team-high seven rebounds.
The Thorobreds will play again tomorrow, Nov.22 against host Ashland University at 3 pm ET.
by Eric Mathews
