Box Score COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict College Tigers used a strong defensive effort to beat Tuskegee, 60-44, in an SIAC men's basketball contest on Monday night in the Benjamin E. Mays HRC Arena.

Benedict held the Golden Tigers to 35.7 percent shooting to beat the defending SIAC and NCAA Division II South Region champions. Benedict improved to 4-4 overall and 2-0 in the SIAC. Tuskegee fell to 3-6 overall and 0-1 in the SIAC.

Benedict placed three players in double figures with Deonte Johnson leading the way with 13 points and eight rebounds. Brennan Reynard added 12 points and Jordan Smith chipped in with 11.

Tuskegee led 14-10 early in the contest before Allen Elmore drained a 3-pointer to kick off a 13-0 run for the Tigers. A jumper by Smith gave Benedict the lead for good, 15-14. A jumper by Quiron Cooke capped off the run to make it 23-14. A three-point play by Reynard ended the first half and gave Benedict a 34-19 lead at the break.

Tuskegee cut the lead to 43-35 on a 3-pointer by Vladmir Tilme with 8:10 left to play, but Benedict scored the next nine points, including an ally-oop dunk by Lafonzo Smith from a pass by Reynard.

Tuskegee was led by David Alexander with 15 points, while Camden Foster added 12 points.

Benedict hits the road for its next three games, starting with a game against LeMoyne-Owen in Memphis, Tenn., on Thursday.