BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Women's Basketball) – The Paine College women opened the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament with a bang in Birmingham on Monday afternoon. The Lady Lions went the distance in overtime and were able to defeat Lane College, 80-78.

With the win, Paine (9-18) advances to the next round of tournament and eliminates Lane (5-21) from play.

The Lady Lions were led by Ashley Watts with 23 points, Janisha Wilkerson with 18 points, and Chasity Mullins with 17 points. Watts kept the table set for Paine with five assists. Wilkerson was a presence in the paint as she recorded 11 rebounds. Wilkerson and Delisia Sharpe showed their defensive prowess with three blocks each. Mullins also recorded three steals.

Collectively, Paine finished the game with 51 rebounds, eight steals, 11 assists, and nine blocks. The team was 40 percent from the field, 27.3 percent from the arc, and 63.6 percent from the free throw line.

Tashara Jones was the leader for the Lady Dragons with 37 points and four assists. Jones was followed by Valerie Leland with 11 points and 11 rebounds. The leading rebounder and defender was Deizarae McCoy with 14 boards and two blocks. Kyana Johnson and Niya Royal recorded three steals each.

As a team, the Lady Dragons finished teh game with 51 rebounds, 13 assists, nine steals, and two blocks. The team was 37.2 percent from the field, 12.5 percent from the arc, and 63.3 percent from the free throw line.

The Lady Lions will play #1E Benedict College on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m.