COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Allen University men's basketball put up a great effort against rival Benedict College on Saturday but fell short in the end 67-60 from a raucous Adams Gym.

Allen led for the majority of the first half taking their biggest advantage at 21-10 just 10 minutes into the game on a Darius Williams trey. BC would close the gap, however, and finish the next 10 minutes on a 16-6 run to trail the Yellow Jackets by just one point at the break (26-27).

In the second half, AU would begin the half on a small 11-2 run to go up by 8 points at 37-29 as Allen struggled shooting the ball early on. then, over the next 9 minutes AU would sharpen their defense and hold the Tigers to just 8 points while Allen outscored BC 17-8 to take a 46-45 lead on an "And-1" three-point play from freshman guard Mike Best with 5:22 to play. Best finished with 5 points.

However, BC would then go on a game-clinching 20-9 run over the final five minutes to put the game away up 65-55. BC shot 35 percent overall and just 21 percent from three while Allen shot 41 percent overall but struggled from deep at 25 % and the charity stripe at 61 percent. 

Senior wing Cameron Sembly led the Jackets with 15 points and 12 rebounds off the bench for his first double-double of the season. Guards Anthony Baker Jr. and sophomore Chase Cook also each finished with 10 points apiece with Cook adding 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal. 

Defensively, freshman forward Nakia Johnson tallied 8 rebounds, two blocks and 5 points while Sembly also blocked two shots. Senior guard Darius Williams scored 8 points with 3 rebounds and a block as well.

Allen falls to 2-15 overall and 2-10 in the conference while Benedict improves to 10-7 and 8-4 in SIAC play. The Yellow Jackets will next be in action on Monday evening at 7:30 pm when they play at Savannah State at 7:30 pm.