COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Miles opened conference play with a tight 62-61 win over Benedict Saturday afternoon at HRC Arena.

The Lady Bears (5-1, 1-0 SIAC West) took the lead late in the second quarter and never trailed again. But the Lady Tigers made it interesting, with multiple opportunities to tie the game late in the fourth quarter.

It was a back-and-forth affair over the final 10 minutes. Raiana Johnson (4 points, 5 rebounds) scored to start the quarter to give Miles a 51-49 advantage. But the lead never got higher than three points. Jasmine Gholson drained a 3-pointer with 2:52 left as Benedict (5-2, 0-1 SIAC East) tied the game at 58. But after the Lady Tigers missed a go-ahead 3-pointer, Katrice Jackson (4 points) scored on the other end with 1:26 left to put Miles in front for good.

Benedict would split six free throws over the final 30 seconds. SIAC Preseason Player of the Year Ay'Anna Bey (13 points, 10 rebounds) had a chance to tie the game with one second left but missed the first of two free throws. Miles would get the ball inbounds after she made the second and time would expire to secure the win for the Lady Bears.

The game was tied at 31 late in the first half before Victoria Sutton (8 points, 3 assists) and Jaylen Snipes (6 points, 5 rebounds) buried consecutive 3-pointers to give Miles a 37-31 lead going into the break. The Lady Bears made seven 3-pointers in the first half, three by Jessica Hollis, to help take control. When Sakina Wynn (9 points, 4 rebounds) scored to open the third quarter, Miles had opened an eight-point lead - its largest of the game.

But as the 3-pointers started to miss, the Lady Bears lead started to dissolve. Benedict cut the deficit to a single point midway through the third quarter. Two Mya Millner free throws still had the Miles lead at seven points but the Lady Tigers pitched a shutout over the final 2:36 of the period and the game was tied at 49 going into the fourth.

Wykira Johnson scored 21 points and Mahogany Randall added 10 points and 8 rebounds for Benedict. Millner scored 12 points and Hollis had 11 points and 7 rebounds for Miles, which travels to Paine on Monday. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.