India Blakely led her team with 13 points in a heartbreaking loss to Benedict College 54-52.

Tuskegee hosted Benedict College in a SIAC conference game to start off the new year. In the first quarter, the Golden Tigers got off to an early lead from a 9-0 run which lasted 4:22. This was the biggest lead in the contest. 

The Tigers of Benedict College were held to shooting 30% in the first quarter as the Golden Tigers ended the first quarter with an 18-6 lead. 

In the second quarter, Benedict College guard Wykir Johnson-Kelly scored 9 points in an effort to keep her team in the ball game. The Golden Tigers extended their lead into the half to five from a layup by Christina Massey in the paint 32-27.  

Benedict college came into the fourth quarter down by five. By way of free throws, the Golden Tigers saw their lead down to three. Tuskegee's lead then fell to one by a layup from Benedict's Octavia Hawkins 44-43. 

The Game saw its first tie since the beginning of the contest 46-46 with 3:29 in the 4th quarter. The Golden Tigers broke the tie, pushing to 50-46, but efforts from Benedict College brought the lead to one with 1:07 remaining 50-49 by way of a layup from Benedict guard Ay'Anna Bey and a free throw by Jasmine Gholson.  

India Blakey scored a fast-break layup with just over a minute in the contest to push the Golden Tiger's lead to three 52-49.

A foul by Breanna Stephens sent Benedict to the line to bring the score to 52-51 Tuskegee with 29 seconds to go.

The Golden Tigers fall to .500 on the season following this loss. Tuskegee will host Spring Hill College on January 6th. Tip-off is set for 5:30 pm.