Lady Bears earn first SIAC win
Box Score
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- While dreams of a perfect run through the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference slate were dashed in a Monday night loss to Benedict, Miles was able to exact the same fate upon Claflin and earn their first league victory with a 59-56 decision Wednesday night at the Bill Harris Arena.
After coughing up an early lead, the Lady Bears (5-7, 1-1 SIAC) used pressure defense to force seven Claflin (9-6, 4-1) turnovers in a game-defining third quarter where Miles took the lead for good.
Morgan Hardy posted her first double-double of the season (16 points, 11 rebounds) and the team shot 82 percent from the charity stripe (23-of-28), including 12 perfect attempts by Hardy.
Miles went 12-of-14 from the free throw line in the first quarter and held a 20-18 lead going into the second. But the Panthers closed out the half on a 10-0 run with Miles going 0-for-4 from the field with six turnovers in the last 5:29 as Claflin took a 32-26 halftime lead.
But the Lady Bears became aggressive on both ends of the floor in the third quarter, forcing turnovers and attacking the basket, which resulted in more trips to the free throw line. Miles went 9-of-12 from the line and when Claflin closed the deficit to one point late in the period,
Larian Scott drilled a 3-ball to give the Lady Bears a 46-42 cushion heading to the final 10 minutes.
Scott (16 points) banged home her third triple of the game in the opening moments of the fourth quarter to give the Lady Golden Bears 49-43 advantage - their biggest of the game. Claflin would get the score to 50-48 with 5:05 left but
Victoria Sutton (nine points, three assists) nailed a 3-pointer on Miles' next possession to push the lead back to five points and the Panthers would not get the deficit past three points the rest of the way. Briana Chisholm had a chance to send the game to overtime but missed a good look from the wing and time expired.
Carnique Marks had 13 points and six rebounds to lead Claflin.
Ashley McCrear had 14 points, four rebounds and three steals for Miles, which will host Lane in a non-conference game Jan. 12 at Knox-Windham Gymnasium. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
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