Box Score JACKSON, Tenn. (November 25, 2017) - When Lane College Head Coach Bryanth Basemore and Assistant Coach Gaylen Young addressed the team at halftime, it wasn't about how they were up on the No. 14 team in Division II by double digits. It was about how they were going to keep a lead against a team as good as visiting and previously undefeated Benedict College on Monday evening in the JF Lane Gymnasium.

The Dragons weathered multiple runs from the Tigers to pick up their first win of the season, 60-51.

But as Basemore said, they knew they would get all they wanted from the nationally-ranked team in the visiting locker room.

"I've got to take my hat off to [Benedict head coach] Fred [Watson] and his bunch over there," Basemore said. "Those guys were down 30-17 at the half. We knew they would come back and fight and climb and find a way to get back in the ballgame and they actually outscored us in the second half.

"Coach Young and I told the guys it was going to be a dogfight in the second half."

Kendarius Ash picked up his third straight double-double, finishing with a team-high 15 points and 12 rebounds.

After struggling from the field in the first half, the Dragons shot nearly 50 percent from the floor in the second half.

Basemore said the improved shooting in the final 20 minutes was less about the other team did than what his players did themselves.

"It was just a matter of relaxing and calming down," Basemore said. "We had to try to keep them focused and concentrate more on shooting the ball.

"All it takes is for you to see a couple fall."

With the student body back on campus, the gym was loud and the fans were into the game. Basemore said he appreciates not only the student body, but also the community for coming out to be the "sixth man" cheering on the home team.

"I wish we could play every game in here," Basemore said with a smile.