COLUMBIA, S.C. – Deonte Johnson scored a season-high 24 points to help lead the Benedict College Tigers to a 94-83 victory over Albany State University in an SIAC men's basketball contest in the Benjamin E. Mays HRC Arena Thursday night.

The Tigers placed five players in double figures as they scored a season-high for total points. Roberto Mantovani had a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Jordan Smith scored 12 points on four 3-pointers and Kel Robin scored a season-high 11 points.

The Tigers improved to 7-7 overall and 5-3 in the SIAC. Albany State fell to 6-9 overall and 2-6 in the SIAC.

The Tigers had a good shooting night, making 57.7 percent from the floor and 40.9 percent from behind the arc.

Benedict had a 43-36 lead at the half, but came out in the second half and quickly pushed the lead to 19 points, 57-38, after a 3-pointer by Andrew Crawford. Benedict held its largest lead, 72-49, after a dunk and ensuing free throw by Johnson. Benedict maintained a 23-point lead, 78-55, after a layup by Mantovani with 5:04 left.

The Golden Rams slowly chipped away at the lead over the final five minutes and back-to-back 3-pointers by Davetom Odom cut the lead to 91-82 with 31 seconds left. That is as close as Albany State would get as the Tigers sealed the game at the free-throw line.

Odom led the Golden Rams with 28 points.

The Tigers are back in action at home on Saturday, taking on Fort Valley State at 3 p.m.