OWENSBORO, Ky. – The Benedict College Tigers had a 16-point second-half lead, but the Truman State Bulldogs rallied over the final four minutes to tie the game and went on to take a 79-71 victory on Friday night in the Wesleyan Way Invitational Tournament, hosted by Kentucky Wesleyan University.

The Tigers were playing for the first time in nearly two weeks, and their first game back since the death of Rashee Hodges. Both teams wore commemorative warm-up shirts honoring Hodges.

Benedict took the lead early in the first half, 8-6, on a jumper by Umar Frost. The Tigers led nearly the rest of the way, building the lead to 56-40 on a 3-pointer by Jaylin Gilbert with 4:08 left to play. The Bulldogs scored the next 15 straight points, cutting the Benedict lead to a single point before Quayshun Hawkins hit a pair of free throws with 35 seconds left to play. Truman State hit a layup with 29 seconds left to cut the lead back to one point. Hawkins made one of two free throws with 21 seconds left to make the score 59-57. Truman's Cory Myers hit a jumper with 18 seconds left to tie the score. Hawkins' shot at the buzzer missed, sending the game to overtime.

The Tigers led 62-61 early in overtime after a jumper by Hawkins, but the Bulldogs scored the next 10 points, connecting on a pair of 3-pointers, to build a nine-point lead with 2:06 left on the clock. Benedict could not cut the lead below six points the rest of the way.

Hawkins, playing his first game of the season for the Tigers, led Benedict with 17 points. Mike Udume added 13 points and Justice Morgan chipped in 10 points.

Benedict will play in the tournament consolation game against Southern Wesleyan University at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Truman State will face host Kentucky Wesleyan in the tournament championship game.

Benedict fell to 2-4 on the season. Truman State improved to 8-2.