Box Score
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Rickie Jackson hit a 3-pointer with 38 seconds left to break a tie, and Xavier Collier hit a pair of key free throws with 13 seconds left as the Benedict College Tigers defeated USC Aiken 69-67 on Saturday afternoon at the Benjamin E. Mays HRC Arena.

The win gave Benedict head coach Fred Watson his first victory over the Pacers in five tries.

The Tigers, now 3-1, had a 13 point lead, 57-44, with 7:29 left to play when the Pacers went on a 14-1 run to tie the game, and briefly took a 61-58 on a 3-pointer by Ronald Zimmerman. The Pacers took advantage when Benedict's leading scorer, Tydran Beaty, fouled out with 6:17 still to play.

After Zimmerman gave the Pacers their first lead in the game, Lynden Davis tied the game with a 3-pointer with 4:01 to play.

The game was tied again at 63 with 2:32 left to play. After missed shots by both teams, Jackson's 3-pointer broke the tie with 38 seconds to play. Brennan Reynard stole the ball on the Pacers' next possession and he hit one of two free throws for a 67-63 lead.

A three-point play by USC Aiken's Re'mon Nelson cut the lead to 67-66 with 13 seconds left, but Collier was fouled on the inbounds play and sank both free throws. Zimmerman was fouled on a 3-point attempt with six seconds left, but made just one of his three attempts for the final margin.

“We got up early in the game, but we were well aware that is a very good team and well coached, and they were going to make a run. Our only objective was to make our own run and stop their run, and we did that,” Watson said.

“Lamar Adkins and Ty Beaty played tremendous for us. As long as we get production from them in the post area, we're going to get better, and we are getting better.”

Beaty led the Tigers with 15 points, while Adkins had a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Collier had 12 points and seven assists, while Jackson added 10 points.

USC Aiken, now 2-2, was led by Paul Larson with 21 points. Nelson added 12 points for the Pacers.

Benedict opened up the game strong, taking a 17-2 lead after a Davis 3-pointer. But the Pacers chipped away at the lead and eventually cut the lead to one point, 22-21, after a 3-pointer by Nelson. A 3-pointer by Reynard gave the Tigers a 33-28 lead at the half.

The Tigers will face Elizabeth City State University on Monday at home. Game time is 7:30 p.m.