NEW BRITAIN, Ct.- Tracy Rankins scored 25 points as Savannah State snapped a four-game losing streak with a 73-63 win over Central Connecticut State in Detrick Gym.

Patrick Hardy scored 15 points for the Tigers and Arnold Louis had 11 points and seven rebounds. Freshman Preston Blackmon had a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists.

With SSU leading 6-4, the Tigers went on a 13-0 run to go ahead 19-4 with 14:12 on the clock.

CCSU pulled within 10 with 5:39 left but seven straight points by Savannah State gave the visitors a 36-17 edge with 2:32 remaining.

Savannah State led 40-26 at the half.

The Tigers shot 69.6 percent from the floor in the opening half and 75 percent from 3-point range.

SSU (6-12) ran their lead to 51-32 with 15:50 left in the second half .

Trailing 59-42, Central put together a 11-3 run to get within nine with 6:38 on the clock.

CCSU got as close as 66-59 with 4:11 remaining but back-to-back jumpers from Rankins as well as a layup and free throw from Louis put the Tigers ahead by 14 with 1:41 left.

Savannah State hit 12 of 17 field goal attempts in the second half for a 70 percent shooting percentage. SSU also made 3 of 4 3-point attempts.

CCSU ended the game shooting 40.4 percent from the field.

Davis Simmons had 22 points for CCSU (4-11).