WILBERFORCE, Ohio – Central State scored the first seven points of the second half to break away from a tie game and pulled away to take a 61-56 victory over the Benedict College Lady Tigers in the first round of the 2025 SIAC Basketball Championship presented by Cricket.
 
The Lady Tigers had as much as a nine-point lead, 22-13, early in the second quarter. Central State chipped away at the lead and the game was tied at 27 at the break.
 
The Lady Marauders scored the first seven points of the second half for a 34-27 lead. Benedict was able to rally back and retook the lead, 39-37, with 2:26 left in the third quarter. Central State closed out the quarter with six unanswered points for a 43-39 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
 
Central State increased the lead to 51-42 early in the fourth quarter. Benedict was able to get as close as 58-56 with 26 seconds left. Central State hit three free throws in the final 11 seconds to seal the game.
 
Central State, the fourth seed in the West Division, improves to 12-14 overall and advances to the tournament quarterfinals and will face Clark Atlanta, the No. 1 seed from the East, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at Morehouse College in Atlanta.
 
Benedict had three players in double figures, led by Ghylissa Knowles with 13 points. Kayla Horton had 11 points and Aaliyah Lawrence added 10 points.
 
Benedict finishes the season at 9-18.