BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Benedict College women's basketball team took their first step to repeat as SIAC champions with a 63-54 victory over Claflin University on Wednesday in the Bill Harris Arena.

The Lady Tigers, 21-5, advanced to the semifinals at 1 p.m. on Friday. They will take on the winner between LeMoyne-Owen College and Paine College, who face off at 1 p.m. on Thursday.

Benedict won despite shooting just 29 percent for the game and 10.5 percent on 3-point attempts. The Lady Tigers, one of the nation's leaders in rebounding, took advantage of a 47-37 rebounding advantage, including 18 on the offensive end.

Kristine Lesane led Benedict with 12 points, while Britenique Harrison added 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds.

Jaquanna Davis and Uniqua Mitchell each had 10 points for Claflin, who wrap up their season at 14-13.

Another key for Benedict was at the free-throw line. The Lady Tigers attempted 32 free throws, and sank 78 percent of their shots. Claflin, however, attempted 26 free throws but made only 15, shooting 57 percent from the line.

Claflin used a 10-0 run early in the first half to take a 16-7 lead, but Benedict rallied late in the first half with a 14-2 run and took a 27-26 lead into the locker room.

In the second half, Lesane opened with back-to-back jumpers for a 31-25 lead. Claflin came back to tie the contest at 33 with 15:18 left to play. Benedict scored the next seven points. The Lady Panthers would chip away from an 11-point Benedict lead to make it 48-43 with 6:31 left to play. The Lady Tigers sealed the game at the free-throw line, scoring eight of their final 10 points at the stripe.