ROCK HILL, S.C. – The Benedict College women's basketball team moved one step closer to defending their SIAC Championship with an 81-73 overtime victory over Tuskegee University in the SIAC Tournament semifinals on Friday night at the Rock Hill Sports & Events Center.

Wykira Johnson-Kelly hit a pair of free throws with seven seconds left in regulation to tie the game, and the Lady Tigers outscored Tuskegee 16-8 in overtime to advance to Saturday's championship game. Benedict will take on 12^th-ranked Savannah State (27-1) at 5 p.m.

Johnson-Kelly led the Lady Tigers, now 22-7, with 20 points, while also contributing in other ways with seven rebounds, five assists, a block and a steal. Ay'Anna Bey added 16 points, with six coming in overtime. She hit a 3-pointer with 2:12 left in overtime that gave Benedict a 76-69 lead.

Keondra Archie added 14 points, while adding eight rebounds, five assists and a steal. Ayanna Armstead scored 12 points, while Shanassia White grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds, and Camryn Bostick also reached double figures with 10 rebounds as Benedict out-rebounded Tuskegee 54-42.

The game was tight throughout, with Benedict holding a 17-15 lead at the end of the first quarter, and the first half ended tied at 30. Benedict started to pull away in the third quarter, building as much as an 11-point lead before Tuskegee cut the lead to 55-46 heading into the fourth quarter.

Tuskegee scored the first eight points of the fourth quarter to pull within a point, and the game was tight the rest of the way. The Lady Tigers had a 63-58 lead with 3:21 left to play after a pair of free throws by Archie. Tuskegee rallied to tie the game at 63, then took the lead for the first time since the opening minutes of the second half on a basket with 27 seconds left. Johnson-Kelly made a drive to the basket and was fouled, sinking both attempts with seven seconds left to force the extra period.

Benedict and Savannah State split their regular season meetings. Benedict handed Savannah State its only loss of the season on Jan. 22 in Columbia, when Benedict upset the then-22^nd ranked Savannah State Lady Tigers. Savannah State has won 13 in a row since then, including an 80-72 victory over Benedict in Savannah on Feb. 14.