WINTER PARK, Fla. – The Benedict College men's basketball team opened the 2021-22 season on Friday afternoon, and fell to Rollins College 75-68 in the South Region Tipoff Tournament.

Rollins led 38-26 at the half, but Benedict rallied in the second half to tie the score at 45 on a layup by Malachi McCoy. They took the lead at 48-47 when Tajh Green dunked an offensive rebound with 10:48 left in the game. Benedict tied the game again at 50 before Rollins hit back-to-back 3-pointers.

Benedict rallied once again and took a 68-67 lead on a fast-break dunk by McCoy with 1:25 left in the game. Rollins answered with a 3-pointer and then sealed the game with five free throws in the final 28 seconds.

Green led the Tigers with 22 points and 16 rebounds. Timothy Bing Jr. added 18 points and had five assists. Marshaun West chipped in with 10 points.

Benedict shot 33.8 percent (25-of-74), and struggled from 3-point range, hitting 3-of-22 attempts (13.6 percent). Benedict out-rebounded Rollins 54-38.

Benedict takes on Florida Tech in the second day of the South Region Tipoff Tournament at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Florida Tech lost to Auburn Montgomery on Friday.