Benedict Edges Morehouse, 80-77

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Kel Robinscored a season-high 22 points, including a short jumper with 46 seconds left to give Benedict the lead, as the Tigers defeated Morehouse College 80-77 on Saturday afternoon in an SIAC basketball game.

Robin’s basket gave Benedict a 78-77 lead. Morehouse missed a shot on the other end and Quiron Cooke got the rebound and sank two free throws for an 80-77 lead. Morehouse missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer which would have tied the game. Benedict and Morehouse played a four-overtime marathon nine days ago in Atlanta.

Benedict improved to 14-9 overall and 11-3 in the SIAC, moving into first place in the SIAC East Division and a half-game lead over Claflin College. Benedict and Claflin play Wednesday in Orangeburg. Morehouse falls to 12-7 overall and 6-7 in the SIAC.

Robin connected on a career-high five 3-pointers. Quayshun Hawkins added 18 points, while Brandon Morris scored 14 points. Christopher Spencerben led the Tigers with 10 rebounds. Benedict shot 52.9 percent in the game.

Ayinde Russell led the Maroon Tigers with a game-high 27 points.

The Tigers had as much as a 12-point lead, 22-10, early in the first half. Benedict’s lead was 40-36 at the half. Benedict had a 47-39 lead early in the second half, but the Maroon Tigers scored the next seven points to cut the lead to one point and the game remained a very tight contest the rest of the way, with neither team leading by more than four points. A layup by Tyrius Walker gave Morehouse its first lead since the opening minutes of the game, 58-56 with 9:20 remaining. Neither team led by more than three points the rest of the game.