ORANGEBURG, S.C. – The Benedict College Tigers shot a season-high 54.9 percent, but it wasn't enough as the Claflin Panthers took an 89-79 victory on Thursday night in a non-conference men's basketball game to sweep the season series.

The Tigers fall to 4-22 on the season. Claflin improves to 13-13.

Benedict had an 11-7 lead early in the first half, but the Panthers went on an 11-0 run and never trailed again. A dunk by Austin Lawton, who led the Panthers with 26 points and 13 rebounds, gave Claflin a 69-54 lead with 11:09 left in the game. Benedict rallied to cut the lead to 76-74 after a layup by Jalen Stegall. Another basket by Stegall made it 81-78 with 2:52 remaining,  but the Tigers missed their final four shots of the game, and Claflin closed the game with an 8-1 run.

Stegall and Romello Jones led the Tigers with 16 points each. DeShawn Graham chipped in 13 points.

Benedict will compete in the SIAC Basketball Tournament next week in Birmingham, Ala. The Tigers, the sixth seed in the East Division, will face the third seed from the West Division at 4:45 p.m. (Central) on Tuesday. The 2019 SIAC Basketball Championship Tournament will be streamed via FloSports.