ORANGEBURG, S.C. – Claflin outscored Benedict 18-8 in the second quarter to pull away and held on to take a 68-63 victory over the Benedict College Lady Tigers and sweep the season series between the two rival schools.

Benedict struggled at the free-throw line, connecting on just 38.9 percent (7-of-18), including making three of 12 attempts in the second half.

Benedict falls to 20-6 overall. Claflin improves to 14-13.

Ay'Anna Bey led the Lady Tigers with 22 points and 20 rebounds. Ayanna Armstead added 13 points. Glory Morton came off the bench to chip in 10 points.

Benedict had an 11-7 lead midway through the first quarter after a 3-pointer by Essence Stinnette, but the Lady Panthers went on a 10-0 run and never trailed again. Benedict cut the lead to 17-16 at the end of the first quarter. Benedict went cold in the second quarter, as the Lady Tigers didn't score until 4:20 left in the period on a tip-in by Bey to make it 24-18. Claflin extended the lead and held a 35-24 advantage at the halftime break.

Claflin had as much as a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter, but the Lady Tigers rallied to cut the lead to 64-61 on a 3-pointer by Octavia Hawkins with 46 seconds left.

The Lady Tigers will now turn their sights on a SIAC Championship. Benedict, the top seed in the SIAC East Division, will have a bye until the quarterfinals and will play at 1 p.m. (Central) on Wednesday. The 2019 SIAC Basketball Championship Tournament will be streamed via FloSports.