BELMONT, N.C. – The Benedict College Lady Tigers opened the 2018-19 season with an 86-76 loss to Belmont Abbey College on Wednesday night.

Belmont Abbey shot 53.3 percent on 3-pointers, connecting on 16 of 30 attempts from beyond the arc. Benedict struggled from the field in their season opener, hitting 36.4 percent (28-of-77) from the floor and 27.8 percent (10-of-36) of their 3-pointers.

Benedict falls to 0-1 on the season. Belmont Abbey improves to 2-1.

Ay'Anna Bey led the Lady Tigers with 20 points and had a team-high nine rebounds. Ayanna Armstead added 14 points and made four of Benedict's 10 3-pointers. Camryn Bostick chipped in 10 points.

Maria Kuhlman led Belmont Abbey with 26 points, hitting eight 3-pointers.

The Lady Tigers took an early 14-8 lead in the first quarter, and the Lady Crusaders took a 23-19 lead at the end of the first quarter. Benedict fell behind 28-19 in the second quarter before going on a 12-0 run to take a 31-28 lead with 2:45 left in the first half. A 3-pointer by Octavia Hawkins gave the Lady Tigers a 34-30 lead with 2:03 left in the half, but the Lady Crusaders closed out the half with a pair of 3-pointers for a 36-34 lead at the break.

A fast-break layup by Bostic cut the lead to 49-48 with 2:56 left in the third quarter, but Belmont Abbey went on a 10-2 run. Benedict got within 70-66 in the fourth quarter, but the Lady Crusaders pulled away with a 14-5 run.

The Lady Tigers are back in action on Friday at Barry University in Miami Shores, Fla.