COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict College Tigers snapped a 12-game losing streak with an impressive defensive performance to beat the Livingstone Blue Bears 5-3 in the Palmetto Capital City Classic on Saturday evening in Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.

Benedict held the Blue Bears to just 119 total yards and smothered them on the ground, limiting Livingstone to just eight yards rushing. During last year's 0-10 season, Benedict averaged giving up more than 200 yards rushing per game, including a season-worst 373 yards to Livingstone in last year's season-opener.

"It feels great. After last year, it feels super," said Benedict head coach Mike White, who picked up his first win as coach of the Tigers. "They played well all night. Offensively, we burned up enough clock and the defense played well against the run and not allowing them big plays. It was a good night and a big win for our program."

The Benedict defense came up with three interceptions, including two by Classic MVP Kendrick Frazier, a last-minute addition to the roster. His first interception and 45-yard return set up Benedict's first score, a 26-yard field goal by Tory Mimbs with 2:51 left in the first half to tie the game at 3-3. On the ensuing kickoff, the Blue Bears started the drive on their own 3-yard line. A penalty moved the ball back to the 1-yard line, and Christopher Williams was able to stop Livingstone running back Jarius Richardson before he could cross the goal line, and the Tiger defense picked up two points for the safety with 2:23 left on the clock before the half.

The Tigers took the 5-3 lead into the locker room at halftime, and the defense continued to shut down the Blue Bears in the second half. Harmon Brown had one interception in the third quarter and had another, including a long run-back for an apparent touchdown, called back because of a penalty. Frazier had another pick at the end of the third quarter.

"Once we got the lead, the defense kind of held everything in check," White said.

Benedict defensive coordinator Ronnie Baker said the game plan was to stop Livingstone from running the ball. The Tigers accomplished that so well that the Blue Bears were forced to throw. Two Livingstone quarterbacks combined to 18-of-32 passes for 111 yards with three interceptions and four sacks.

"The game plan coming in was to stop the run and control the line of scrimmage and I thought our guys up front did a real good job with that," Baker said. "We went back to the basics in camp from day one and we were planning on stopping the run and being a tough team up front. I couldn't be more proud of the guys."

Offensively, the Tigers had their own troubles. Benedict finished with 19 net yards rushing on 33 carries. Quarterback Mason Duckett completed 11-of-23 passes for 146 yards. Mimbs missed a pair of 42-yard field goals in the second half.

After the second missed field goal, the Blue Bears took over at their own 25-yard line with 5:40 left in the game. After a 20-yard pass play and a 15-yard penalty against Benedict, Livingstone had a first down at the Benedict 31-yard line and only needing a field goal to win. But the Benedict defense rose to the occasion again. Marcus Baisey was stopped by freshman linebacker Travon Shannon for a 13-yard loss. After a holding penalty, the Blue Bears were facing a fourth-and-31 from their own 48-yard line, and quarterback Thaddeus Bell was sacked for a nine-yard loss by Collins Tensley and Kenneth Gunter. Benedict took over possession at the Livingstone 39-yard line and ran out the final 1:52 on the clock for the victory.

"It was a great win. The guys played hard for four quarters," White said. "I just like the way we finished it. That's what we talked about before the game, is finishing it. It was right down to the wire, but we finished it."

The Tigers' last victory came on October 25, 2014, or 680 days ago, a 35-15 Homecoming victory over Morehouse. Benedict will look to continue its winning ways next week when the Tigers are home against Limestone College. Kickoff at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium is 6 p.m.