Behind Aziel Blackwell’s season-high performance, the Kentucky State Thorobreds secured a hard-fought 74-69 win over the Allen Yellow Jackets on Thursday night in Columbia, South Carolina
Blackwell was the star of the night, leading all scorers with 31 points. He connected on 10 field goals and added nine free throws, providing the offensive spark Kentucky State needed to overcome a resilient Allen squad.
Ogien Ayo was a force on the boards, recording a season-high 14 rebounds to go along with three blocks and five points. Lavar Miller Jr. also played a crucial role, draining three three-pointers and six field goals to finish with 17 points.
The game was tightly contested from the start. Kentucky State tied the score twice early in the first half before Lavar Miller Jr. drained a three-pointer, igniting a 7-0 run that gave the Thorobreds a 10-4 lead at the 15:31 mark. However, Allen answered with a run of their own, tying the game at 13-13 with 12:07 remaining in the half.
The first half continued to be a back-and-forth battle, with the game tied three more times. Gregory Melvin’s layup at the 9:21 mark brought the Thorobreds even once again, and Blackwell’s three-point play tied it at 23-23 with 5:49 left. Despite the Thorobreds’ efforts, Allen managed to pull ahead, taking a narrow 32-29 lead into halftime.
Blackwell took charge in the second half, starting with an early layup to spark Kentucky State’s offense. While Allen briefly regained the lead, Blackwell’s relentless scoring put the Thorobreds ahead 58-57 at the 6:20 mark.
The Yellow Jackets continued to fight, tying the game twice in the closing minutes. However, Gregory Melvin’s clutch three-point play in the final minute gave Kentucky State a crucial cushion and sealed the 74-69 victory.
The Thorobreds demonstrated resilience and determination, with Blackwell’s standout performance and key contributions from Ayo, Miller, and Melvin proving decisive. Kentucky State will look to build on this win as they continue their season.
