COLUMBIA, S.C. – Augusta University pulled away in the first half and went on to take an 89-69 victory over the Benedict College Tigers in a non-conference men's basketball contest on Tuesday night in the Benjamin E. Mays HRC Arena.
 
A steal and layup by Parker Grant cut Augusta's lead to 20-17 midway through the first half. The Jaguars scored the next seven points and went on to take a 44-30 lead at the half. A 3-pointer with 15:24 left in the second half gave Augusta a 62-40 lead, and the Jaguars maintained at least a 20-point lead for the rest of the game.
 
Benedict falls to 0-5 on the season. The Jaguars won their first game of the season and improved to 1-4.
 
Tariq Shepherd led the Tigers with 15 points, while Johnny Taylor Jr. added 14 points. Parker Grant scored 12 points and Cadarius Baggett chipped in 11 points.
 
Benedict shot 46 percent (23-of-50) and 46.7 percent (7-of-15) from 3-point range. Augusta shot a season-best 53.3 percent (32-of-60) and made a season-high nine 3-pointers.
 
The Tigers return to action with a SIAC road trip to take on Lane College on Saturday at 3 p.m., before traveling to LeMoyne-Owen on Monday night.