SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State snapped a two-game losing skid with a hard fought 52-48 win over Western Illinois in Tiger Arena.

After a 7-for-20 shooting effort in the first half, the Tigers had the hot hand in the second period as they shot 61.1 percent from the floor.

SSU also controlled the boards, out-rebounding the Leathernecks 34 to 18.

WIU led 23-21 at the half but Savannah State opened the second period with a 9-2 spurt that have the Tigers a five point advantage with 17:53 remaining.

The Leathernecks battled back to take a three point lead but layups by Rod Mitchell, Louis Arnold and Patrick Hardy put SSU ahead 42-39 with 5:04 left.

WIU would get as close as one point but a 3-pointer by Hardy with 3:05 left put the Tigers up 47-43.

SSU closed out the game by hitting 5-of-7 free throw attempts and Hardy's two free throws with one second on the clock sealed the victory as the Tigers ran their record to 3-2.

Hardy ended the contest with 10 points and eight rebounds. Tracy Rankins led SSU with 13 points as he went 4-of-4 from the field and hit 5-of-6 free throw attempts. Arnold chipped in seven points, nine rebounds and five assists.

With the game tied at 16, Western Illinois scored seven unanswered points to grab a 23-16 lead with 2:11 remaining in the opening half. SSU answered to close the half with a jumper from Rankins and a 3-pointer by Darius Baugh to cut WIU's lead to 23-21.

Ceola Clark led WIU (2-3) with a game-high 15 points while Matt Lander added 12.