FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Playing at the Exum Center has long been troublesome for Miles' men's basketball team. It gets a lot tougher when the opposing team is making almost everything basket it shoots.

In the first half Monday night against Kentucky State, the Golden Bears found themselves in a 21-point hole before halftime thanks to some white hot shooting by the Thorobreds. Miles gamely fought back and made it a two-possession game with three minutes remaining. But KSU garnered a surprising 85-76 win, ending Miles' six-game win streak in the process. It was the most points allowed this season by the Golden Bears (12-4, 7-3 SIAC West), who have now lost 10-of-12 at Kentucky State (5-10, 2-9).

Miles looked as if it was going to run up a big number on the worst defensive team in the SIAC. The Golden Bears made their first three shots from the field, the last coming on an Elijah Horton 3-pointer, to grab an early 7-0 advantage 90 seconds into the contest. Kentucky State missed its first two field goal attempts. Everything looked rosy for the visitors.

But then, Kentucky State decided it was not going to miss. Bucket after bucket, the Thorobreds were shooting threes and and getting dunks in the lane. Five consecutive made shots anchored a 19-0 explosion that put KSU on top. Then another run of five made baskets eclipsed a nice run by Miles as two more 3-pointers from Horton and a 3-point play by Corey Trotter did not put a dent in what became a 30-16 hole for the Golden Bears.

Two more missed shots preceded another run of five made baskets for Kentucky State. The last was a Josh Cross jumper with 3:27 left before halftime that gave KSU a 21-point advantage, its largest of the game. A bucket at the horn by Todd Burt managed to bring the Miles halftime deficit to 52-34. The Golden Bears had five opponents this season that did not score more than 53 in an entire game. But when your opponent shoots 75 percent from the field (18-of-24), 78 percent from three (7-of-9), and 90 percent from the free throw line (9-of-10), it can lead to a tough half of basketball.

 But Miles stayed steady and finally got the stops it needed on defense. That led to a furious comeback that got the Golden Bears back into the game.

Down by 18 with less than 16 minutes left, Miles made its first big push. Five missed shot attempts from KSU turned into a 10-0 run over the next four minutes.Trotter scored five points, Mykayle Carter (eight points) knocked down a 3-pointer and Chase Ballard drained a jumper in the lane to bring the Golden Bears to within 59-51 with 11:52 to go. Alvin Miles would drill a 3-ball and added another bucket on the ensuing possession and the deficit was down to four points with 8:42 remaining,

Kentucky State had another quick burst and pushed its advantage back to 11 points. But Ballard continued to stroke it, scoring seven points as part of a 9-2 run that cut the Thorobreds lead to 77-73 with 3:16 on the clock. But from there, Miles looked to run out of steam. Missing their next four shots from the field, the Golden Bears saw KSU push its advantage back into double digits and walk off with the victory.

Brandon Hill (24 points), Ogien Ayo (23 points, 11 rebounds) and Tyson Brooks (12 points, 10 rebounds) were the top performers for Kentucky State. Trotter (20 points, 13 rebounds, four steals) posted his fifth double-double, Alvin Miles (15 points, nine assists, six rebounds) had a season-high in assists, Ballard (12 points, four assists) tied his season-high in points, and Truitt Spencer added 10 points for the Golden Bears, who host Tuskegee on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.