COLUMBIA, S.C. – Marshaun West scored a season-high 16 points, and Kailee White hit a 3-pointer with 3:28 left to play to put the Benedict Tigers ahead for good as Benedict took a 63-60 victory over Fort Valley State in a SIAC men's basketball game on Saturday afternoon in the Benjamin E. Mays HRC Arena.
 
White's 3-pointer gave Benedict a 56-53 lead and West followed with a short jumper. That would be Benedict's final field goal as the Tigers hit 5-of-8 free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.
 
Benedict improves to 14-9 overall and 12-5 in the SIAC. Fort Valley State falls to 9-15 overall and 7-10 in the SIAC.
 
West also led the Tigers with seven rebounds. Gedeon Buzangu scored a season-high 10 points.
 
The Wildcats had as much as an eight-point lead in the first half, 30-22, but Benedict rallied to cut the lead to 31-29 at the half. Tim Moore hit a jumper to give the Tigers a 42-40 lead, their first lead since midway through the first half.
 
Benedict is back in action on Monday night, hosting Albany State in a SIAC contest at 7:30 p.m.