COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict College Tigers shot 57.4 percent while holding Fort Valley State to just 34.4 percent and rolled to a 78-61 victory over the Wildcats on Thursday night in the Benjamin E. Mays HRC Arena.

The Tigers shot a sizzling 64.3 percent in the first half en route to a 50-25 lead at the break. Brennan Reynard led the Tigers with 15 points, while Rydealous Taylor added 12 points and Quayshun Hawkins chipped in 10.

The 57.4 percent shooting was the second-best performance by the Tigers this season.

Benedict improves to 12-6 overall and 7-2 in the SIAC with their fourth straight victory. Fort Valley State drops to 3-13 overall and 1-8 in the SIAC.

The Tigers had a 22-14 lead in the first half before scoring eight straight points, highlighted by a 3-pointer by Taylor and a 3-point play by Lafonzo Smith. Hawkins hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give Benedict a 50-25 lead at the break.

Benedict built its largest lead, 72-43, on a 3-pointer by Jordan Smith with 5:45 left in the game.

The Wildcats hit three 3-pointers in the final 1:13 of the game to trim the final score to 17 points.

Benedict forced 15 Fort Valley State turnovers and capitalized on those for 22 points off turnovers. Benedict also outscored the Wildcats 28-12 in the paint.

Benedict is back in action on Saturday, hosting Albany State at 3 p.m.