COLUMBIA, S.C. – Kentucky State University scored the final six points of the game to edge the Benedict Tigers 80-74 on Thursday night in the Benjamin E. Mays HRC Arena.

A jumper by Andrew Crawford with 2:57 on the clock gave the Tigers a 73-69 lead. Kentucky State's Tryston Ford hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to one point, then Quentin Henderson put the Thorobreds ahead 74-73 with a jumper with 1:54 left to play.

Benedict tied the game at 74 when Brennan Reynard hit one of two free throws with 1:34 to play. Kentucky State took the lead for good when Ulysses Thompson hit a jumper after a steal for the Thorobreds. After another Benedict turnover, Ford hit two free throws with 21 seconds left. Thomas sealed the win for Kentucky State with two free throws with 10 seconds left.

Benedict fell to 6-6 on the season, 4-2 in the SIAC. Kentucky State improved to 4-8 overall and 3-3 in the SIAC.

Reynard led the Tigers with 23 points. Jordan Smith had 14 points, while Deonte Johnson and Auntrell Holloway added 10 each.

Thomas led the Thorobreds with 20 points, while Ford added 14.

Benedict shot a season-high 59.2 percent from the floor, but the Thorobreds shot 55 percent from 3-point range, making 11 of 20 from behind the arc.

The Tigers are back in action on Saturday, when they take on Lane College at 3 p.m. in the Benjamin E. Mays HRC Arena.