FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Aron Stewart and Damian Archer had career nights and Miles was able to erase a 18-point deficit in the second half against Kentucky State. But with two opportunities in the last 10 seconds to tie the game or send it into overtime, the Golden Bears were unable to convert in a 93-90 loss Monday night at the Exum Center.

Stewart had 28 points and 13 rebounds - both career highs - along with three blocks and Archer added 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists - all career highs - for Miles (3-12, 2-6 SIAC West). But Archer's 3-point attempt two dribbles past the half court line as time expired just missed, sending the Golden Bears to their second straight defeat.

It did not look as if KSU (6-12, 5-6) would even allow the Golden Bears to get close enough for a final shot. After scoring the final six points of the first half to take a 47-42 lead, and opening the second half on a 15-2 run, the Thorobreds led 62-44 less than four minutes into the final half. But Miles head coach Leon Douglas went to some nonconventional means to get his team back in the game.

First, he ran the offense through Stewart and the senior forward responded. He consistently attacked the basket using a variety of moves that netted him 10 points over the next seven minutes. Also, little-used guards D.J. Mitchell and Chris English were inserted to give the Golden Bears a spark. Mitchell had six points and six rebounds - two coming on a dunk that cut the deficit to 72-68 with 10 minutes remaining. English did not score but he significantly hampered the KSU offense by putting the clamps on point guard Dorian Jordan (16 points, five rebounds, eight assists), who had been mostly having his way on offense.

Archer then put the finishing touches on the comeback when he scored consecutive buckets to tie the game at 72 with 8:35 to go. Miles, though, would never retake the lead. Down 91-90 with 10 seconds left, Jordan missed two free throws and Nathan Sheffield (11 points, six rebounds) grabbed the rebound. He got the ball to Archer who fired up court to Sheldon Wright. But Wright was unable to handle the pass and lost it out of bounds right in front of the Miles bench. The Golden Bears were forced to foul Reggie Breeden (14 points, nine rebounds, six assists), who made both free throws with four seconds remaining before Archer's game-tying heave just missed.

Jeffrey Dockett, who was scorching in the first half, scored 16 points and Robert Jones had two points and 10 rebounds for Miles, which hosts Lane Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.