SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Benedict College Lady Tigers saw a 15-point second-half lead disappear, and Savannah State rallied to take a 73-71 overtime victory in a SIAC women's basketball contest on Saturday.
 
Taylor Christmas scored with six seconds left in regulation and was fouled, and hit the free throw to tie the game at 67 and send the contest into overtime.
 
In the extra period, Benedict made just one of eight shots from the field. Savannah State took the lead for good with 2:29 on the clock, and took a three-point lead, 73-70, with a basket with 1:35 remaining. Christmas made one of two free throws with 26 seconds left for the final score.
 
The Lady Tigers used a 15-0 run in the second half to build as much as a 16-point lead, 43-27, with 1:33 remaining in the first half. Savannah State scored the final four points of the first half to make it 43-31 at halftime. In the third quarter, Benedict had a 53-38 lead with 3:58 on the clock, but Savannah State rallied to cut the lead to 55-49 heading into the fourth quarter.
 
Savannah State (11-9 overall, 7-7 SIAC) went on a 9-1 run in the fourth quarter to take its first lead of the second half, 60-59 with 4:42 left in regulation.
 
Ghylissa Knowles hit six 3-pointers and scored 21 points to lead the Lady Tigers, now 7-13 overall and 5-9 in the SIAC. Ciara Hardy added 15 points and Christmas chipped in 11 points.
 
Benedict continues its road trip with a game at Edward Waters on Monday night.