Box Score COLUMBIA, S.C. – Albany State scored the final four points over the last two and half minutes to defeat Benedict College 48-43 on Thursday night in a battle between the top two teams in the SIAC East in the Benjamin E. Mays HRC Arena.

Benedict falls to 15-7 overall and 9-3 in the SIAC. Albany State sweeps the season series against Benedict and improves to 14-4 overall and 9-2 in the SIAC.

Albany State held a 23-20 lead at the half, and Santera Grooms opened the second half with a 3-pointer to tie the game. A free throw by KaDeeja Vaughn gave Benedict a 24-23 lead.

A layup by Vaughn tied the game at 30 with 13:18 left to play, and a layup by Grooms gave the Lady Tigers their last lead in the second half, 33-32 with 10:38 left to play. Albany State's Kourtney Alexander hit a 3-pointer to put the Lady Rams back in the lead.

The contest remained close, and a layup by Grooms cut the lead to 44-43 with 2:37 left to play. Benedict did not score the rest of the way as the Lady Tigers missed two shots and committed two turnovers down the stretch.

Mecca Frost led Albany State with 15 points.

Britenique Harrison and Latoya Fairley led Benedict with 11 points each, while Grooms added 10.

Benedict plays its final home game of the season on Saturday against Fort Valley State at 1 p.m.