COLUMBIA, S.C. – Kentucky State hit a pair of free throws with 45 seconds left to take the lead and closed out the game with a dunk to beat the Benedict Tigers 90-87 in a SIAC men's basketball game on Monday night.
 
Calvin McCutcheon hit a 3-pointer for the Tigers with 1:06 remaining to give the Tigers an 87-86 lead. Kentucky State regained the lead on two free throws. McCutcheon missed another 3-pointer with 19 seconds left and the Thorobreds closed out the game with the dunk.
 
Benedict falls to 4-4 overall and 2-4 in the SIAC. Kentucky State moves to 4-1 overall and 3-1 in the SIAC.
 
Gob Gabriel led the Tigers with a season-high 24 points. McCuthceon finished with a career-high 19 points. Brandon Smith added 14 points and Tim Moore chipped in 10 points.
 
The Thorobreds shot 53.4 percent (31-of-58) from the floor, while the Tigers shot 41.5 percent (27-of-65).
 
Kentucky State built as much as a 12-point lead, 45-33, in the first half. Benedict cut the lead to 46-39 at the half. The Tigers rallied from a 10-point second-half deficit to take a 62-61 lead after a three-point play by Gedeon Buzangu with 11:44 left to play. Kentucky State pushed the lead back to eight points, 82-74, with 4:57 remaining before the Tigers tied the game at 84 with 1:43 remaining on a layup by McCutcheon.
 
Benedict travels to take on Miles College on Dec. 15.