Box Score VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Benedict College men's basketball team built a 20-point first-half lead, and then held off a late rally by West Florida to beat the Argos 72-69 in their season opener Friday afternoon in the SIAC vs. Gulf South Conference challenge tournament on the campus of Valdosta State University.

Benedict led 42-22 with 1:56 left in the first half after a layup by Jose Roman-Angueira. The Tigers led 44-29 at the break. Benedict kept a double-digit lead in the second half until the Argos scored six straight points to make it 64-58 with 8:23 to play.

A layup by Quayshun Hawkins gave Benedict a 70-62 lead with two minutes left in the game, but the Tigers would not score over the final two minutes, missing two shots and turning the ball over. The Argos made it 70-69 on a 3-pointer by Justin Williams with 10 seconds left. West Florida fouled Brennan Reynard, who sank both free throws with seven seconds for the final margin.

Jordan Smith led Benedict with 15 points, while Reynard finished with 14 points and a game-high six assists. Rydealous Taylor added 12 points and Hawkins finished with 10. Roman-Angueira and Lafonzo Smith each had a team-high six rebounds. Smith also had a game-high three blocked shots.

After shooting 60.7 percent in the first half, the Tigers cooled off in the second half, shooting 33.3 percent.

Benedict, now 1-0, will face Valdosta State on Saturday, as the tournament moves to the campus of Fort Valley State for Saturday's contests.