JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Benedict College Tigers used a strong second half to rally from an eight-point deficit to defeat Edward Waters University 89-70 on Monday night in a SIAC men's basketball contest.
 
Edward Waters had a 47-42 lead at the end of the first half, after Benedict's Deshawn Bartley hit a 3-pointer with 40 seconds left. Brandon Smith opened the second half with a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 47-45. Edward Waters hit back-to-back 3-pointers to push the lead back to eight points, 53-45.
 
A dunk by Marshaun West gave the Tigers their first lead of the second half, 60-59, with 11:19 left to play. A jumper by Asanti Price capped off an 11-3 run to give the Tigers a 76-66 lead with 4:50 remaining. Benedict closed out the game with the final seven points of the game.
 
Malachi McCoy led the Tigers with 19 points and 12 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the season. Brandon Smith added 15 points. West scored 12 points, with 10 coming in the second half as Benedict outscored Edward Waters 47-23. Brandon Beidleman chipped in 11 points.
 
The Tigers improve to 11-7 overall and 9-4 in the SIAC with their sixth straight win. Edward Waters falls to 3-14 overall and 2-10 in the SIAC.
 
Benedict shot 47.1 percent (32-of-68), including 54.8 percent in the second half. Edward Waters shot 35 percent (21-of-60), including just 19.2 percent (5-of-26) in the second half.
 
The Tigers recorded 11 steals, forced 21 turnovers and had a 22-7 advantage in points off turnovers.
 
The Tigers wrap up their six-game road trip with a game at Savannah State on Wednesday before returning home for a rematch against Savannah State on Saturday at 3 p.m.