SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah State University used an eight-point run in the third quarter to take a nine-point lead, and the Benedict College Lady Tigers could never overcome as 20^th-ranked Savannah State took an 80-72 victory on Monday night.

Benedict falls to 18-7 overall and 11-3 in the SIAC. Savannah State improves to 22-1 overall and 11-1 in the SIAC with their eighth straight victory since their only loss of the season, a 74-65 Benedict victory in Columbia on Jan. 22.

Wykira Johnson-Kelly led the Lady Tigers with 19 points, while dishing out a season-high seven assists. Ayanna Armstead added 16 points, Camryn Bostick scored 14 points and Ay'Anna Bey chipped in 12 points and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.

Bria Gibbs led Savannah State with 23 points and Le'Andrea Gillis had 20 points.

Benedict cut a nine-point deficit to three points, 13-10, at the end of the first quarter. Benedict tied the game, 20-20, on a 3-pointer by Armstead, with 4:28 left in the first half. Savannah State pulled ahead 29-23 at the half.

A 3-pointer by Johnson-Kelly cut the lead to 34-33 with 7:10 left in the third quarter. Savannah State scored the next eight points. Benedict never got closer than seven points in the fourth quarter as Savannah State built as much as a 15-point lead.

Benedict is back in action with a home game against Albany State on Thursday, starting at 5:30 p.m.