The Benedict College Tigers advanced to the next round of the SIAC tournament by defeating the Central State Marauders 70-66 in overtime.
From the tip, it was a hotly contested affair throughout the first half. Central State used a 7-0 run late in the first half to give them a 36-30 lead heading into halftime. The Marauders built a 10 point lead in the second half, 57-47 with 8:14 to go but Benedict responded with a 11-2 run to slice to lead down to one at 59-58. Central State answered back with four point to stretch the lead to five, 63-58 with less than two minutes to go. Benedict would climb back to within two at 63-61 when Mike Udume canned a three pointer.
Benedict’s Brandon Morris split a pair of free throws with 42 seconds left to bring the Tigers within one, 63-62. He managed to draw another foul with 3.8 seconds in the game and also split that trip to the line, but tied the game at 63. The game was tied at 63 at the end of regulation and went into overtime.
Jelani Watson-Gayle’s triple opened up scoring the scoring in the extra session, putting the Tigers up 66-63 and giving Benedict their first lead since being up 21-20. Benedict would hold Central State to only three points in overtime.
