COLUMBIA, S.C.- The Savannah State men's basketball team closed their three game road swing with a 83-53 loss to Benedict College on January 31, 2024 at the Benjamin E. Mays HRC.
 
Despite the score, Benedict only outscored SSU by three points in the second period. Savannah State shot 46.4 percent from the field in the second half and made 10 of their 11 free throw attempts.
 
Benedict, who is ranked 11th in the latest NABC poll, improved to 17-2, 11-2 SIAC with the victory.
 
BC hit a 3-pointer for the first points of the contest but SSU's Austin Lewis answered with a three of his own to tie the game.
 
A jumper by Chancellor Wilson cut Benedict's lead to 9-7 but Benedict answered with runs of 13-0 and 14-0 to separate themselves from SSU and go ahead 36-9 with 4:17 on the clock.
 
In between the runs, Savannah State managed two free throws from Qua King.
 
Down 40-13, SSU received two free throws from Ayjay Plain and a jumper from Javonte Landy to slice their gap to 40-17 with 2:13 left.
 
Benedict, who led 44-17 at the half, opened the second half with a dunk and a 3-pointer to increase their lead to 49-17.
 
Following a free throw by Wilson with 14 minutes left, Savannah State trailed by 29 but a 10-0 run by Benedict gave SSU their biggest deficit of the night at 67-28 with 12:14 on the clock.
 
Savannah State kept chipping away and was able to whittle their deficit down to 30 with 5:01 remaining but were unable to get any closer the rest of the way.
 
SSU's defense held Benedict to just one field goal during the final seven minutes of the game.
 
King and Wilson both scored nine points for Savannah State. The duo combined for 13 rebounds with Wilson grabbing seven.
 
Plain, Zion Davis and Jordan Mikel scored six points apiece, Landy added four, Austin had three and Warner Davis chipped in two points.
 
The Tigers finished the game shooting 94.1 percent from the free throw line, making 16 of 17 shots.
 
Benedict was led by Malachi McCoy who had 15 points and 13 rebounds.
 
Savannah State will return home on February 3 for a rematch with Benedict. Tip off in Tiger Arena is set for 4 p.m.