WILBERFORCE, Ohio – Central State's Tom Johnson hit one of two free throws with eight seconds left to lift the Marauders to a 70-69 victory over the Benedict College Tigers in a SIAC men's basketball game on Saturday.

Benedict falls to 4-6 overall and 1-2 in the SIAC. Central State improves to 5-3 overall and 2-1 in the SIAC.

Tyrese Mapp scored a season-high 16 points to lead to the Tigers. Aboubacar Camara added 12 points and Romello Jones chipped in with 10 points. Tajh Green led the Tigers in rebounding with 10.

The Tigers jumped out to an early lead, pulling ahead 20-12 with 12:32 left in the first half on a jumper by Joseph Staton. A 14-3 run by the Marauders gave Central State a 26-25 lead with 7:59 left in the first half. Central State closed out the first half with a 17-8 run to take a 41-33 lead at the half.

Benedict pulled the game close in the second half, and took their first lead of the half, 60-59, on a layup by Jones with 4:54 left on the clock. The game stayed close the rest of the way. A pair of free throws by Mapp with 2:11 remaining gave Benedict a 67-65 lead. Central State pulled ahead with a three-pointer and a free throw before Brandon Favors scored on a layup with 35 seconds left to tie the game at 69-69.

The Tigers continue their road trip with a conference game at Kentucky State on Monday night.