Arkansas Tech snatch NCAA victory from Benedict Tigers' Jaws

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- #4 seed Arkansas Tech led the ball game just twice in the second half, but when the final buzzer sounded, they'd come away with a 61-58 victory over Benedict College in the final quarterfinal of the 2011 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball South Regional Championship.

The Wonder Boys snatched victory from the Tigers when James Giles stole the ball and fed Johnie Davis. Davis made his shot and was fouled. Down 58-57, Davis drained the free throw to bring the game even with :43 left. He then addressed the media after the game, saying, "I had to draw contact and make sure I made the bucket."

Benedict took their time in their next offensive set, trying to burn precious time off of the clock. Pressure from Arkansas Tech forced a turnover by Anton Green with 13 left on the shot clock. "We had a good game plan going in," Benedict coach Fred Watson said. "We didn’t close the game well."

Davis then found an open Laithe Massey, who squared up and drilled a three-pointer with three seconds left in regulation. "Johnie made a great pass right in my chest," Massey said. "I knew time was winding down and I just let it go, luckily it went in."

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Benedict Defeats Morehouse On Senior Night

Columbia, SC (WLTX) --- Xavier Collier scored 25 points and five assists to lead Benedict to a 72-63 win over Morehouse College Tuesday night, clinching the SIAC regular season title for the Tigers.

Marcus Goode, the reigning SIAC player of the week, scored 22 points and pulled down 14 rebounds for Benedict which won its fourth SIAC regular season championship in the Fred Watson era.

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Benedict's Goode takes the long way home

Today’s Game
WHO: Claflin (9-13, 8-12 SIAC) at Benedict (15-6, 15-4)
WHEN: Noon today
WHERE: HRC Arena, Benedict College
TV: CBS College Sports (channel 537 on Time Warner digital cable)

It’s been a long journey but Marcus Goode feels likes he has finally found a home. The much-traveled former Mid-Carolina star has landed less than 45 miles from his home and is leading a resurgent Benedict team to the top of the SIAC standings. Benedict is tied for the SIAC lead going into today’s game against Claflin at noon. The game will be broadcast nationally on CBS College Sports.

“I went through a lot to get here,” Goode said of his journey. “I finally made it and I’m trying to stick with it. I’m here now and I just want to get my grades right and play ball.”

Goode’s travels have covered five schools. After playing at Mid-Carolina for two years, he transferred to the Patterson School in Lenoir, N.C., his final two years to try and get his grades in order.

The 6-foot-10, 295-pound center signed with Marshall but had to sit out his first year because of his grades. He played one semester during the 2008-09 season, averaging 4.2 points and 2.8 rebounds and eight minutes per game.

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Videographer: UrbanSportsITG