MONTEVALLO, Ala. -- Jelani Watson-Gayle scored 23 points off the bench and Miles never trailed in earning a 65-55 win over Montevallo Saturday afternoon at Trustmark Arena.

The Golden Bears (4-3) never trailed, holding the Falcons (3-7) to less than 27 percent shooting from the field in the first half and just 33 percent from the floor for the entire contest. But despite opening a 13-point lead late in the first half, Miles led just 28-23 at the break.

Montevallo did not go away quietly. A basket by Jack Youmans cut the Golden Bears lead to 36-35 less than four minutes into the second half. But Avery Brown knocked down his own 3-pointer on the ensuing possession to push the lead back to four points. Another triple by Brown at the 11-minute mark gave Miles a 14-point advantage - its largest of the game - and the Falcons were not able to get closer than six points the rest of the way.

Youmans, De'Marco Owens and Wade Lowman each had 12 points for Montevallo. Brown (15 points, seven rebounds) and Damian Archer (10 points, seven assist, five rebounds, three steals) had strong efforts for Miles, which plays an exhibition contest at Little Rock on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.