FRANKFORT, Ky. – Brandon Darrett led five Kentucky State (6-9) players in double-figures with 15 points as the Thorobreds defeated Trevecca Nazarene University (5-13) 89-81 Thursday night in a non-conference men's basketball game at the Exum Center.

Following a Byron Sanford layup that tied the game at 10, the Thorobreds would go on a 13-3 run to take a 23-13 lead. Darrien Wilkins led KSU with eight points during the stretch.

David Woodard's two free throws with 8:18 left in the half brought the Trojan deficit to nine points (26-17) but it would be the closest TNU would get the rest of the game.

Antonio Sullivan gave Kentucky State its biggest lead in the first half, 44-23, after a dunk with 3:23 left.  The Thorobreds took a 47-29 advantage into intermission.

KSU was extremely efficient in the first half shooting 59.4% including a 7-for-13 (53.8%) clip from beyond the arc.

In the second half, Sanford hit a pair of free throws 80 seconds in to cut the Kentucky State lead to 47-32, but Trevecca would not get any closer.

The Thorobreds would lead by as many as 22 points in the second half.

Darrett also grabbed nine rebounds and blocked four shots. Sullivan and Troy Adams each tallied 12 points for KSU while Wilkins recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Thomas Ulysses III and Crain each chipped in with 10 points. 

KSU shot 55.4% from the field and had a 44-24 rebounding advantage.

Sanford led Trevecca with 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting while Woodard added 13 points, two steals and two assists. Jordan Bedwell scored a season-high 13 points and grabbed five rebounds. Christopher Elliott totaled 10 points on a pair of three-point shots and four made free throws. Mac Walden came off the bench to tally nine points.

Trevecca returns to action Jan. 30 at Ohio Valley University (3-12, 2-3 G-MAC) in a Great Midwest Athletic Conference game. The Trojans defeated the Fighting Scots 117-94 back on Dec. 7.