COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict College Tigers hit 12 3-pointers, built a big first-half lead, and defeated the Albany State Golden Rams 82-48 on Thursday night in the Benjamin E. Mays HRC Arena.

Benedict improves to 19-5 overall and 14-2 in the SIAC with its fifth straight win. Albany State falls to 9-16 overall and 7-9 in the SIAC.

Tajh Green led the Tigers with 20 points, while Tyrese Mapp scored 16 points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.

The Tigers led from start to finish, with Green starting the game off with a dunk. Benedict built a 10-1 lead with Malachi McCoy finishing off the 8-0 run with a dunk. Benedict went on a 16-0 run later in the first half, capped off by a 3-pointer by Green for a 37-10 lead. The Tigers led 41-15 at the half.

Benedict built a 30-point lead early in the second half and coasted to the victory, taking as much as a 39-point lead late in the game.

The Tigers held Albany State to an opponent season-low 48 points. Benedict forced 23 Golden Ram turnovers and had a 29-9 advantage in points off turnovers. The 34-point victory was the third-largest margin of victory this season.

Benedict will be back in action on Saturday, with a home contest against Morehouse, starting at 3 p.m.