TUSKEGEE, Ala. – The Benedict Tigers shot a sizzling 58.5 percent to defeat Tuskegee 84-71 on Thursday night.

Benedict connected on 31-of-53 shots in the game to set their season-best shooting performance.

The Tigers improve to 4-1 on the season. Tuskegee drops to 3-4.

Benedict used a 9-0 run in the first half to take a 19-11 lead with 9:57 left in the half. After Tuskegee cut the lead to 25-21, Benedict used an 8-0 run, capped off by a dunk by Tajh Green, for a 33-21 lead. Benedict had a 37-25 lead at the break.

Tuskegee rallied to cut the lead to 68-66 with 6:22 remaining before the Tigers scored the next nine points for a 77-66 lead with 2:48 left, with Jerome Bivins draining a 3-pointer for the final points.

Timothy Bing Jr. and Jayden Lockett led the Tigers with 14 points each. Tyrese Mapp added 13 points.

Benedict is on the road again on Saturday, taking on Albany State at 1 p.m.