CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Benedict College men's basketball team opened the 2018-19 season with an exhibition game against Division I College of Charleston on Thursday night, falling to the Cougars 95-43.

Benedict shot just 18.1 percent for the game, making 13 field goals on 72 attempts. The Tigers were 5-of-39 (12.8 percent) in the second half, when they scored just 15 points. Benedict was 6-of-30 (20 percent) on 3-pointers.

Ricky Peterson led the Tigers with 10 points. Peterson also had six rebounds to share team-high honors with Tyrease Mapp.

The Tigers trailed 41-28 at the half, but were outscored 54-15 in the second half.

Benedict opens the season under first-year coach Artis Maddox next Friday, Nov. 9, in the South Region Tip-Off Challenge in Melbourne, Fla. The Tigers take on Rollins on Friday, then will face tournament host Florida Tech on Saturday, Nov. 10.