Lady Golden Bears Fall in SIAC Quarterfinals
Miles' women's basketball team had lost both its previous battles to Kentucky State this season in very close fashion. Given how well they played in their opening round contest on Monday, there was a feeling that the Lady Golden Bears might have a real shot at upsetting the Thorobretts and advancing to the SIAC Women's Basketball Tournament semifinal.
That feeling disappeared very early as KSU opened a big lead and coasted to a 70-41 win over Miles Wednesday night at Bill Harris Arena. The win was the 14th straight for the Thorobretts (22-4) and ended the Lady Golden Bears season at 8-19. SIAC Player of the Year
Porshia Blue closed out her career with 14 points, six rebounds and five steals for Miles, which shot just under 26 percent from the field and turned the ball over 22 times.
After leading from wire-to-wire in the opening round win over Fort Valley State, Miles never led against KSU. Down 10-9 in the first half, Blue missed a shot that could have given Miles the lead. Instead, it started a crippling six-minute run by the Thorobretts, who held the Lady Golden Bears to just one basket. When Brieona Warner completed a 3-point play with 6:20 left in the first half, KSU led 31-12 and Miles was in deep trouble. Shaquanda Wiggins scored late in the half and the Thorobretts led 39-18 at the half.
Things never got better in the second half for Miles. The Lady Golden Bears shot just 24 percent from the field in the second half and went nearly 10 minutes before scoring their first basket after the break. KSU spread the wealth in the second half as eight different players scored and helped open a lead that reached 31 points.
Wiggins had 11 points and 14 rebounds while Warner had a game-high 15 points for KSU.
Ebony McNeill, who sparkled in the opening game, scored nine points and grabbed five rebounds in her final game.
Asia Anchrum, also a senior, finished with six points and three rebounds for Miles.
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