Box Score Dragons Fall to the Tigers from Benedict College
Jackson, Tenn.
In a rematch from last year's SIAC men's championship game, the Dragons came up short against the Tigers from Benedict College with a 76-64 defeat.
The Dragons took a 25-22 lead with 7:43 left in the first half before the Tigers went on a 19-3 run at the end of the first half to take a 46-29 lead. The Dragons was able to cut the lead to 46-31 before the half. The Dragons connected on 8 of 12 (66.7%) free throws in the first half while only connecting on 10 of 33 (30.3%) from the field.
The Dragons outscored the Tigers in the second half 33-30, collecting 14 points on 2nd chances as the Dragons out rebounded the Tigers 38-28 in the game. The Tigers kept a double-digit lead throughout the second half, with the Dragons getting as close as 10 points, 50-40, on a 3-pointer by Rodney Clarke with 17:06 left. Benedict scored six of the next seven points, for a 56-41 lead with 13:45 on the clock. Jordan Smith connected on a three-pointer with 6:25 left to play to extend the lead to 70-53. The Dragons went on a 11-6 run at the end of the game, but it was not enough to overcome the 76-64 final score.
For the Tigers, Jordan Smith connected on five baskets from 3-point land on his way to a total 24 points. Brennan Reynard added 16 points in the victory. Rodney Clarke led the Dragons with 11 points, connecting on 3 of 5 from the three point area. Devontay Clark added 10 points, while Kendarius Ash hauled in nine rebounds for the Dragons.
The Dragons fall to 2-5 overall and 1-1 in the conference and will host the Lions from Paine College on Dec. 7. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM at J. F. Lane Gymnasium.
