Golden Bears remain undefeated in SIAC
Box Score COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Miles may want to start enjoying this view from the top.
After a torrent of first-half turnovers literally had the Golden Bears trying to give away Monday night's game against Benedict, the team regrouped, went to work in the offensive paint, and rode the hot shooting hand of Josh Samuels in a 76-70 win over the Tigers (8-6, 3-2). Miles (7-7 overall) moved to a league-leading 5-0 in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play with the win over the defending conference champions.
Samuels scored 18 of his team-high 27 points in the the second half. With the score tied at 44, he scored three straight baskets midway through the second half to give Milessome breathing room. The junior guard also knocked down three clutch free throws late when Benedict had cut the Golden Bears advatage to a single point with two minutes remaining.
It did not look as if Miles would have a chance to mount a second half comeback early on. The Golden Bears could not keep possssion of the ball and the Tigers took full advantage, scoring 18 points off of 11 Miles turnovers. Benedict led 20-10 before the 12-minute media timeout but thanks to a late 3-pointer by
Maiscei Grier, the Golden Bears only trailed 35-30at the half.
After halftime, Miles did a better job protecting the ball and went to work on the inside, led by juniors
Shaquille Cook and
Eric Halliwell. Cook had nine points and nine rebounds in the second half part of a double-double (11 points, 11 rebounds) effort that certainly paid dividends late. Halliwell (six points, five rebounds) broke a 52-all tie with just more than seven minutes remaining that gave Miles the lead for good.
Quayshun Hawkins scored a game-high 29 points for Benedict. Grier had 11 points for the Golden Bears, who host Central State on Jan. 14 with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
