Benedict Tops Valdosta State In OT, 71-61

FORT VALLEY, Georgia – The Benedict Tigers outscored Valdosta State 10-0 in overtime to take a 71-61 victory on Saturday in the SIAC vs. Gulf South Conference challenge tournament.

Quayshun Hawkins was a perfect six-for-six at the free-throw line in overtime, while Valdosta missed all eight field goal attempts in the extra period.

The win improves Benedict to 2-0 on the young season. Valdosta State fell to 1-1.

Hawkins led Benedict with 22 points. Brennan Reynard added 12 points and dished out four assists. Lafonzo Smith grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds and recorded three blocked shots.

Benedict was down 19-11 early in the game, but rallied to take a 29-27 lead at the half after a 3-pointer by Tyoun Shuford right before the buzzer.

Valdosta State had a 59-57 lead with 1:19 left in the game, but Reynard tied the game at 59 with a fast-break layup. Hawkins then put the Tigers ahead 61-59 with two free throws with 36 seconds left. Valdosta State's Blake Justice hit a jumper with 21 seconds left to tie the game again. Hawkins missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer, sending the game to overtime.

Reynard got the scoring started in the overtime period with a fast-break layup. Hawkins made three trips to the free-throw line and Rydealous Taylor scored on a dunk with four seconds left to close out the game.

The Tigers will take on Livingstone College on Friday at 5:30 p.m. on the campus of Johnson C. Smith in Charlotte, N.C. Benedict will face Johnson C. Smith o
n Saturday at 4 p.m.

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