SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Benedict College Lady Tigers hit four free throws in the final 38 seconds to defeat LeMoyne-Owen College 54-51 and advance in the 2024 SIAC Men's and Women's Basketball Championship presented by Cricket.
 
Benedict, now 4-23 overall on the season and the seventh seed from the East Division, snapped an 11-game losing streak and advances to take on Clark Atlanta (14-11, 3^rd seed in SIAC East) at 12 noon on Wednesday on the campus of Savannah State University.
 
A jumper by Alaysia Nash gave Benedict a 44-37 lead, matching their largest lead of the game, with 5:27 remaining to play. The Lady Magicians trimmed the lead to 45-43 with 3:50 remaining. Taylor Christmas hit a big 3-pointer with 3:28 on the clock for a 48-43 lead.
 
LeMoyne-Owen scored the next five points to tie the contest at 48 with 1:47 remaining. Madison Golden scored a layup to give the Lady Tigers the lead again. LeMoyne-Owen tied the game again at 50 with 50 seconds left.
 
Dashia Jackson hit one free throw with 38 seconds left to give Benedict the lead once again. Christmas hit one free throw with 16 seconds left. LeMoyne-Owen hit one free throw to make it 52-51 with seven seconds left. Scales was fouled and went to the line and sank both free throws for the final 54-51 score.
 
Christmas had a double-double, leading the team with 17 points and 12 rebounds. She connected on a career-high four 3-pointers. Nash scored 11 points, while Raven Johnson scored eight points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
 
LeMoyne-Owen, the sixth-seed from the West Division, closes its season at 11-14