FAIRFIELD, Ala. – The defending SIAC champion Benedict College Lady Tigers opened the 2020-21 season with a 78-70 victory over Miles College on Saturday afternoon.

Ay'Anna Bey led the Lady Tigers with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Wykira Johnson-Kelly added 16 points and Ayanna Armstead added 11 points.

Benedict had a 32-17 lead at the half before the Lady Golden Bears made a push in the third quarter as Markisha Body scored 14 of her team-high 27 points in the third quarter. Miles cut the lead to 53-44 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Lady Golden Bears opened the fourth quarter by outscoring the Lady Tigers 9-3 to cut the lead to 55-53 with 8:06 left in the game. Keondra Archie hit a 3-pointer with 7:02 left to give Benedict a 60-55 lead. After Miles made it 62-58, Benedict scored the next seven points for a 69-58 lead with 4:05 left and held on for the win. Johnson-Kelly's three-point play capped off the crucial scoring surge.

Benedict (1-0) and Miles (2-7) will square off in a rematch on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. Eastern