ORANGEBURG, S.C. – The Benedict College men's basketball team used another big first-half run to defeat Auburn Montgomery 86-75 on Saturday in the GSC/SIAC Challenge, hosted by Claflin University.
The Tigers improved to 2-0 on the season.
Dimitri Cook scored 17 points and was one of five Benedict players to score in double figures.
Brandon Morris and
Jelani Watson-Gayle each scored 14 points. Watson-Gayle hit four 3-pointers and the Tigers made 11 3-pointers in the game.
Rodney Prichard added 12 points and
Mike Udume had 11 points on three 3-pointers.
Umar Frost pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds.
The Warhawks had a 20-17 lead after a 3-pointer with 12:07 left in the first half. The Tigers went on a 16-4 run, capped off by a 3-pointer by
Cairo Brown with 5:51 left. Benedict built the lead to as much as 14 in the first half before the Warhawks hit a 3-pointer to close out the half with Benedict taking a 47-36 lead into the locker room.
The Tigers built the lead to 23 points early in the second half after a 3-pointer by Udume. Benedict had a 23-point lead, 82-59, with 2:11 left to play before the Warhawks staged a late rally. Desmond DeRamus scored 30 points for the Warhawks, now 0-2.
Benedict returns to action on Tuesday with their home opener against Carver College at 7 p.m.
Â