Benedict Lady Tigers Shock #16 Miles, Triumph in SIAC Thriller

COLUMBIA, S.C. – In a thrilling SIAC women's basketball showdown, the Benedict College Lady Tigers orchestrated a stunning comeback to upset the #16 Miles College Lady Golden Bears, 66-62, on Thursday night at the Benjamin E. Mays HRC Arena.

The Lady Tigers found themselves trailing by 11 points in the fourth quarter, but Ghylissa Knowles delivered the dagger, hitting a clutch 3-pointer with just 26 seconds remaining to give Benedict its first lead of the game. The resilient squad then held on for the hard-fought victory, stunning the nationally-ranked Miles team.

The Lady Tigers were led by a balanced scoring effort, with four players reaching double figures. Knowles finished with a team-high 16 points, including the game-winning triple, while Aaliyah Caudle, Keniece Purvis, and Kaylen Mallard added 13, 11, and 10 points respectively.

For the 16th-ranked Lady Golden Bears, Dynesha Smith had a game-high 18 points, and Jada Lofton chipped in with 13 points.

"This was a huge win for our program. Our team showed tremendous heart and determination to come back and defeat a nationally-ranked opponent. I'm so proud of the way they fought and executed down the stretch."

- Charlene Johnson, Benedict College Women's Basketball Head Coach

Significance for the HBCU Community

This thrilling victory by the Benedict Lady Tigers serves as a powerful reminder of the exceptional talent and potential within HBCU athletic programs. While the Miles Lady Golden Bears are a formidable opponent, the Lady Tigers' ability to overcome a significant fourth-quarter deficit and secure the upset win showcases the competitive spirit and skill that HBCU student-athletes possess.

Moments like these inspire the broader HBCU community, reminding them of the rich legacy and bright future of these institutions. The Lady Tigers' triumph not only brings pride to the Benedict College campus but also highlights the depth of basketball excellence found across the SIAC and other HBCU conferences.

As the HBCUConnect community, we celebrate this remarkable achievement by the Benedict Lady Tigers. Their perseverance and clutch performance are a testament to the unwavering dedication and talent of HBCU student-athletes, who continue to make their mark on the national sports landscape.

Originally reported by SIAC Sports.