COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict Tigers scored the first 11 points of the second half to build an 18-point lead and held on to take a 63-53 victory in a SIAC men's basketball contest on Saturday afternoon in the Benjamin E. Mays HRC Arena.
 
Benedict never trailed in the contest and had a 34-27 lead at the half. Gob Gabriel opened the second half with a 3-pointer and followed that with a fast-break dunk. Malachi McCoy added a pair of baskets, and Gabriel wrapped up the run with a jumper for a 45-27 lead.
 
Clark Atlanta cut the lead to five points, 55-50, with 3:55 left in the game. Brandon Smith hit two free throws and McCoy scored a layup for a 59-51 lead with 1:32 on the clock.
 
Smith scored 14 points to lead the Tigers, while Gabriel had 12 points and McCoy added a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
 
The Tigers improve to 6-7 overall and 4-4 in the SIAC. Clark Atlanta falls to 2-12 overall and 1-7 in the SIAC.
 
The Tigers wrap up their four-game homestand on Monday when they take on Morehouse at 7:30 p.m.