Current win streak has Benedict in good shape

Reviewing and previewing local college basketball:

WHO'S HOT

Benedict men. After losing their first three games, including two to USC Aiken and Augusta State, the Tigers are now riding a nine-game winning streak and find themselves in command of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Benedict (9-3) leads Paine by two games and faces the Lions twice later this season - Jan. 31 in Columbia and Feb. 25 in Augusta.

WHO'S NOT

Tuskegee. The Alabama school ran its losing streak to 13 consecutive games after a 10-point loss to Stillman on Tuesday. The Golden Tigers are being outscored by almost 18 points a game. That's good news for Paine, which faces Tuskegee twice in February.

IN CASE YOU'RE WONDERING

Former USC Aiken coach Phil Stern still is seeking his first conference win after an 0-4 start in the American East Conference with Division I Maryland-Baltimore County. The Lady Retrievers are 8-7 overall.

FIVE-STAR MATCHUP

North Georgia men at Augusta State, 7:30 p.m., Wednesday. The Saints have cooled considerably after a fast start to the season. North Georgia has lost three of its past four games, while its defense has been virtually non-existent in those contests. The Jaguars lost to the Saints by 13 two months ago. Can they slow down the league's top offense and get revenge?

TODAY'S STORYLINES

USC Aiken women at Lander, 5:30 p.m. Lady Pacers should feast on the Peach Belt's worst defense.

USC Aiken men at Lander, 7:30. Pacers look for their second consecutive conference win.

Albany State women at Paine, 5:30. Lions need to be wary of Rams, winners of three of their past four.

Albany State men at Paine, 7:30. Lions need a win to stay in second place in the SIAC.

USC Upstate women at Augusta State, 5:30. Can the Jaguars take advantage of the Peach Belt's second-worst defense?

USC Upstate men at Augusta State, 7:30. Can the Jaguars finally move above .500 this season?

RANKING THE MEN'S TEAMS

1. Aiken Tech (12-3, 5-0). Knights have made 19 3-pointers the past two games.

2. Paine (8-4, 7-2). After a pair of close road losses, the Lions got back on track with 10-point win Thursday over Fort Valley State.

3. Augusta State (7-7, 3-4). Jaguars holding opponents to less than 55 points per game in past three contests.

4. USC Aiken (3-10, 1-6). Coach Vince Alexander picked up his first conference win Wednesday against UNC Pembroke.

RANKING THE WOMEN'S TEAMS

1. Paine (10-4, 7-1). Lady Lions let upset bid against No. 23 Fort Valley State slip away with poor first half.

2. USC Aiken (6-8, 2-5). Meredith Legg extended her consecutive free-throw streak to 36 against UNC Pembroke. She's 17 short of the Division II record.

3. Augusta State (6-10, 1-6). Maybe the return of center Eva Vodrazkova can get the league's worst offense on track.

- Chris Gay