Fort Valley State Knocks Out Benedict From SIAC Tournament, 69-54

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Fort Valley State Wildcats used a 12-0 run midway through the second half to pull away and defeat the Benedict College Tigers 69-54 in the semifinals of the 2017 SIAC Tournament on Friday afternoon in the Bill Harris Arena.

Benedict ends the season at 17-12. Fort Valley State (12-17), the fifth seed from the East Division, advances toSaturday night’s title game against either Morehouse or Clark Atlanta, who meet in the other semifinal Fridaynight.

The Tigers had a 40-35 lead with 12:33 left in the game after a layup by Brandon Morris. Shortly after that, Morris, the SIAC Player of the Year, picked up two fouls in a span of 16 seconds to foul out. His fifth foul came on an offensive charge call with 10:51 left in the game and the Wildcats leading 41-40. Four of Morris’ five foul calls in the game came on the offensive end. Without Morris in the game, the Wildcats scored back-to-back 3-pointers by Jaylon McMillan for a 47-40 lead. The Wildcats outscored Benedict 28-14 after Morris fouled out.

Senior Quayshun Hawkins, playing in his final game for the Tigers, led Benedict with 20 points, 13 rebounds and four assists. Morris finished with 11 points and five rebounds.

Jalen Crawford led Fort Valley State with 19 points, while Tyler Edwards added 18 points.

The bigger Wildcats outrebounded Benedict 55-42. Benedict also shot just 29.8 percent for the game, their worst shooting effort this season.