SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Benedict College Tigers trailed by 14 points at halftime and weren't able to come back, falling to Saint Leo 78-72 on Monday night in their final game before a 10-day Christmas break.

The Tigers, now 3-5 overall, saw the Lions take as much as an 18-point lead in the second half. Benedict was able to rally back and cut the lead to three points, 55-52, on a jumper by Brandon Morris with 11:03 left in the game. The Lions scored the next 10 points to push the lead back to 13 points.

Quayshun Hawkins led the Tigers in scoring for the third straight game since joining the roster for the second semester, pouring in 19 points and connecting on five 3-pointers. Jaylin Gilbert hit four 3-pointers and scored a season-high 16 points. Brandon Morris added 13 points.

Benedict shot 40.3 percent for the game, warming up after shooting just 31 percent (9-for-29) in the first half. The Tigers attempted 33 3-pointers, nearly half of their 67 total field goal attempts, matching their season high of 12 made.

Saint Leo, now 6-6, had four players score in double figures, led by Marcus Dewberry with 21.

The Tigers take a break for the Christmas holiday and return to action on Dec. 29 at Shaw University.