ORANGEBURG, S.C. – Claflin University outscored Benedict 19-12 in overtime to beat the Tigers 77-70 on Saturday night in Claflin's Tullis Arena in an SIAC men's basketball contest.

The Panthers improved to 10-10 overall and 6-6 in the SIAC. Benedict fell to 14-7 overall and 9-3 in the SIAC.

Benedict had a 58-53 lead with 32 seconds left in regulation after two free throws by Lafonzo Smith. The Panthers got a 3-pointer by Trevor Dantzler with 14 seconds left, then got the ball back after a Benedict turnover. Dantzler missed a 3-pointer, but Ryan McNeill-Moses got the offensive rebound and scored on the put-back to tie the game and send it into overtime.

Lafonzo Smith led the Tigers with 17 points, matching his season-high, while grabbing a career-high 14 rebounds and blocking a career-high five shots. Smith fouled out 26 seconds into the overtime period, and the Tigers had no strong inside presence after that. The Tigers lost Jose Roman-Angueira to a foot injury early in the second half.

The Tigers were 4-of-10 on 3-pointers in overtime, while the Panthers did most of their damage at the free-throw line, making 14-of-17 free-throw attempts.

Patrell Rogers led the Panthers with 18 points. Adolph Caldwell added 15 and Dantzler scored 14.

Brennan Reynard scored 13 points for the Tigers, while Jordan Smith added 10.

Benedict is back in action on Tuesday, hosting Morehouse College at 7:30 p.m. That game was originally scheduled for Monday, but was moved to Tuesday due to a Moreshouse scheduling conflict.