TUSKEGEE, Ala. – A strong second half allowed the Benedict College Lady Tigers to defeat Tuskegee University, 54-52, on Saturday afternoon in a SIAC women's basketball game.

Benedict improves to 11-2 overall and 5-1 in the SIAC. Tuskegee University falls to 7-7 overall and 3-2 in the SIAC.

Wykira Johnson-Kelly led the Lady Tigers with 15 points, while shooting a solid 5-of-9 from 3-point range. Ayanna Armstead contributed with 12 points, while Ay'Anna Bey added a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

The Lady Tigers found themselves down early after the Lady Golden Tigers went on a 9-0 run to start off the game. A three from Armstead would put Benedict on the board five minutes into the game. Tuskegee would close the quarter on a 9-3 run to extend their lead to 12 points after one quarter of play.

The Lady Tigers would fall behind by 14, 30-16, with three minutes left in the half. Benedict would go on an 11-0 run, capped off by a 3-pointer from Johnson-Kelly. The Lady Tigers would trail 32-27 heading into halftime.

A three from Johnson-Kelly with 6:26 left in the quarter would tie the game up at 34-34. The Lady Golden Tigers would close the quarter on a 10-3 run to pull in front by a score of 44-37.

Benedict went on a 6-0 run to begin the fourth quarter, which closed the gap to 44-43 with 5:32 remaining in regulation. A 3-pointer from Jasmine Gholson would tie the game up at 46-46 with 3:29 left in the game.

After a pair of free throws and a basket gave Tuskegee a four-point lead, the Lady Tigers fought back to close the gap to one point, 50-49, with 1:07 remaining. Following a layup from the Lady Golden Tigers, four free throws from Armstead would give Benedict their first lead of the game with 21 seconds left.

Bey would secure her team-leading 11^th rebound with seven seconds left in the game. A foul would put Bey on the line to try and make it a three-point game. After making the first free throw, Bey would miss the second allowing Tuskegee an opportunity to potentially tie or win the game. The Lady Golden Tigers would miss a 3-point shot as time expired.

The Lady Tigers outscored Tuskegee 34-14 in the paint on Saturday afternoon. Benedict attempted a season-high 43 3-point attempts, making nine (20.9 percent).

Benedict will travel to Spring Hill College on Monday night at 5:30 p.m.