COLUMBIA, S.C. – The 23rd-ranked Benedict College Lady Tigers dropped a nail-biter to Miles College 62-61 on Saturday afternoon in the SIAC opener for both schools.

Benedict drops to 5-2 overall and 0-1 in the SIAC. Miles College improves to 5-1 overall and 1-0 in the SIAC.

Wykira Johnson-Kelly led the Lady Tigers with 21 points, nine from the free-throw line. Ay'Anna Bey added 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Shanassia White contributed with nine points and 12 rebounds.

The Lady Tigers got off to a slow start ,falling behind 10-4 early. Benedict would then go on a 7-0 run to take an 11-10 lead, capped off by a free throw from Johnson-Kelly. In the second quarter, scoring went back and forth as there were seven lead changes and three ties. Back-to-back threes to end the half would give Miles a 37-31 lead heading into the second half.

Benedict struggled to gain any momentum to begin the third quarter. In the final 2:30, the Lady Tigers went on a 7-0 run to tie the game at 49, with Bey finishing off the run with a layup. In the fourth quarter, a three pointer from Jasmine Gholson tied things up at 58-58, with three minutes left in the game.

Both teams would buckle down on defense until Miles found the basket with 1:26 left to take a two-point lead, 60-58. Bey would make one of two free throws with nine seconds remaining to bring the Lady Tigers within one. A free throw by Miles would extend their lead to two.

Johnson-Kelly would be fouled with one second left on the clock. Benedict would miss one of two free throws, securing the game for Miles College.

Benedict will host LeMoyne-Owen College on Monday at 5:30 p.m. in the HRC Arena.