MOUNT VERNON, Ga. - Southern States Athletic Conference play began Thursday night with Stillman College defeating Brewton-Parker College, 64-52, to extend its win streak to three games.

Marcus Bates shot 75% from the floor and led all players with 20 points and 12 rebounds to post his second-straight double-double and fourth in his last five games dating back to the 2023 SSAC Tournament.

The Tigers entered the game with an 80-minute streak of not trailing in a game. After trailing for the first two minutes Thursday, Maurice Harvey tied the game with a free throw and Khalil Johnson hit a 3 to put the Tigers in front four minutes into the game. Brewton-Parker regained the lead with 9:30 left in the first half and grew it to seven points, 18-11. Stillman cut it to 27-24 at the half. 

Justin Minter scored a jumper to put Stillman in front, 33-31. The Tigers trailed only once more, 38-37, before Harvey hit a jumper to spark a 19-6 run. Stillman's largest lead of the night came with 4:34 left to play, 56-43. The Tigers controlled the game down the stretch.

Stillman won the rebound battle by five, 43-37. Johnson finished with 10 points, followed by Bailey Talley's nine points. Antonio Jones flirted near triple-double numbers, posting nine assists, nine rebounds and seven points. 

Brewton-Parker had two players score in double figures, as Ferlin Joseph Jr scored 16 points and 11 rebounds, Lance Smith had 11 points. 

Stillman (3-2, 1-0 SSAC) will travel to Middle Georgia State University for a 2 p.m. ET tipoff on Saturday.