COLUMBIA, S.C. – A strong second half from Wykira Johnson-Kelly helped lead the Benedict College Lady Tigers to a 66-57 victory over LeMoyne-Owen College on Monday night.

The Lady Tigers improve to 6-2 overall, 1-1 in conference play. The Lady Magicians fall to 1-3 overall, 0-2 in the conference.

Johnson-Kelly led Benedict with 16 points, while shooting 3-4 from beyond the arc. Freshman Amaya Ashby added a season-high 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Mahogany Randall contributed with 10 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.

The score was tied early in the first quarter at 5-5 when Randall hit back-to-back threes to give the Lady Tigers a six-point lead. Benedict would take a 16-11 lead heading into the second quarter.

The Lady Tigers would go on a 10-0 run midway through the second quarter, capped off by a three-pointer from Ashby, to give Benedict a 26-15 lead. LeMoyne-Owen would counter with a 6-0 run to close out the half and bring the score within five, 26-21.

The Lady Tigers would start the second half on a 14-7 run to take a 40-28 lead. Benedict would struggle to close out the quarter allowing the Lady Magicians to go on a 6-0 run to close the gap to five points once again, 41-36.

Benedict would go on a 9-2 run to take a 12-point lead, 50-38, to begin the fourth quarter. LeMoyne-Owen would battle back and close the gap to as much as one point, 54-53, with 2:48 remaining in the quarter. The Lady Tigers would persevere and close the game on a 12-4 run to clinch the victory.

Benedict's bench was the deciding factor in this game, as they outscored LeMoyne-Owen's bench 29-15.

Benedict will travel to Central State University on Saturday at 1 p.m.