COLUMBIA, S.C.- Savannah State fell to 3-2 in conference play with a 3-1 loss at Benedict on Tuesday night.

The teams split the first two sets with Benedict winning the opener 25-22.  Savannah State won the second set 25-21 but Benedict captured the final two sets 25-23 and 25-20.

Despite the 3-1 setback, the teams were almost equal, statistically.

Benedict had more points (96-90), kills (55-54), assists (50-44) and service aces (6-1) while SSU had more blocks (10-6). Both squads had 57 digs.

Benedict led 6-1 in the first set but SSU rallied back to tie it at 7-7. The set remained closed and Savannah State was able to take a 20-19  lead but Benedict scored the next three points to go ahead by two.

Savannah State opened the second set with the first three points. Trailing 19-15, Benedict had a 5-1 run  to tie the set at 20. SSU answered with three straight points and then finished the set with two of the final three points to tie the match at 1-1.

SSU fell behind 9-0 in the third set. Down 23-16, the Orange & Blue rallied by scoring the next six points to close their gap to 23-22. Savannah State got within 24-23 but Benedict won the set due to a error by SSU.

Savannah State found themselves trailing 14-6 in the fourth set and roared back to cut their deficit to 19-17 before Benedict used a 4-0 mini-run to extend their lead to 23-17.

Amiyah Walker and Savannah Everett both had double-doubles for SSU.

Walker had 42 assists and 15 digs while Everett added 17 kills and 10 digs.

Nyalah Smith had 14 kills, Aaliyah Saunders had 10 and Iyonna Pike chipped in seven. Mina Ezikpe added four blocks and Saniaa Dickey contributed 17 digs.

Savannah State, who dropped to 7-4, returns to action on October 2 to face Allen at 6 p.m. in Tiger Arena.

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