BLUEFIELD, Va. – A slow start proved to be too big of a hurdle for the Benedict College Tigers to overcome, falling to Bluefield State College 89-79 in a non-conference men's basketball game on Wednesday night.

Benedict falls to 7-9 overall, and Bluefield State improves to 7-8 overall on the season. The Tigers split the season series with the Big Blues after the loss.

Tyrese Mapp led the way for the Tigers with 16 points and eight rebounds, while Anthony Gomes added 14 points and shot a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe.

Deon Joyner scored the first four points for Benedict before Bluefield State went on an 18-9 run to take a 27-16 lead midway through the first half. With four minutes remaining before the break, Bluefield State went on a 19-7 run for a 55-33 lead at halftime.

Benedict fought back and closed the gap to as much as eight points, 84-76, led by Gomez (10 points) and Mapp (nine points). It wasn't enough for the Tigers as the Big Blues would hold on for an 89-79 victory.

Benedict shot 25-72 from the field (34.7 percent), while Bluefield State shot 27-67 (40.3 percent) on the night. The Tigers lost the rebound battle, 51-37. The Tigers were without Tajh Green, the team's leading rebounder, who sustained an injury on Saturday against Paine College.

Benedict will host Morehouse College on Saturday in the HRC Arena at 3 p.m.