Columbia, SC – Benedict College outscored Shaw University 28-20 during the first 20 minutes of play which proved to be just enough as the teams battled to an even 36-36 score output during the second half providing a 64-56 loss for the Bears Tuesday evening in Columbia, SC.

Shaw falls to 1-2 on the season while Benedict collected their first win of the 2021 season and are now 1-2.

The Bears shot a season-low 19-51 from the floor finishing at 37.3% while shooting 55% from the free-throw line. Benedict's hot shooting first half led them to a 46% shooting night. Shaw also lost the turnover battle 19-14.

BC jumped out to leads of 16-6 and 22-9 with 7:10 remaining in the opening stanza. The Bears were finally able to carve into their deficit trimming the Tigers lead to 26-20 with a three-pointer from Brandon Faison with just over a minute left in the half.

Shaw opened the second half cutting the score to 28-24 before the Tigers responded to push their lead back to double digits at 36-25 with 16:27 remaining in the contest. Benedict kept a stronghold on their lead expanding the score to 43-30 with 10:13 left. The Bears made a final run with a layup from Tyler Williams with 6:04 on the clock making the score 51-43. Shaw got as close as 57-55 with a three-point basket from Corey Rutherford at the 1:57 mark of the second half. A turnover ended Shaw's chance to tie or go ahead which led to a three-point shot from Benedict with 41 seconds left providing just enough breathing room for the Tigers to escape with the eight-point win.

Faison led the Bears and all players in scoring with 21 points on 8-11 shooting. Caleb Simmons followed with 10 points as just two Shaw players finished in double figures. Brandon Smith paced the Tigers with 17 points.

Shaw returns to action in their home opener Saturday, November 20 as the Bears host Carolina University. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. inside historic C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium.