MEMPHIS, Tenn. – LeMoyne-Owen won their first game of the season, while Benedict dropped its fifth straight game as the Magicians took a 48-46 victory over the Lady Tigers on Monday night in SIAC women's basketball action.
 
Benedict had its last lead, 41-40, with 2:49 left in the game after a 3-pointer by Mahogany Randall. LeMoyne-Owen outscored Benedict 8-2 over the next 2:30 before Taylor Christmas hit a 3-pointer with 19 seconds left to cut the lead to 48-46.
 
Christmas led the Lady Tigers, now 2-5 overall and 0-2 in the SIAC, with a career-high 20 points. She also grabbed a team-high nine rebounds. LeMoyne-Owen improves to 1-4 on the season, 1-1 in the SIAC.
 
The Magicians had an 11-6 lead at the end of the first quarter. Benedict rallied in the second quarter to take a 22-20 lead at the half. The game was tight the entire second half, with LeMoyne-Owen taking the largest lead of the second half with 28 seconds left, 48-43.
 
Benedict struggled at the free-throw line, hitting just 10-of-26 (38.5 percent) attempts.
 
Benedict returns to action on Saturday with a home conference matchup against Central State at 1 p.m.