BIRMINGHAM -- Miles continued to add to its season of accomplishments Friday afternoon at Bill Harris Arena by dispatching Albany State 65-59 in the SIAC Tournament semifinals.

The win sends the Golden Bears (20-8) to the conference championship game for just the fifth in school history (and first time since 2006) on Saturday when they battle LeMoyne-Owen at 7 p.m.. Miles also earned its 20th win of the season, the first time that has been accomplished since the 1994-95 season and just the fourth time in school annuls.

Unlike the previous matchup this season with Albany State, when Miles won by 27 points, this contest was much more closely contested. The Golden Rams (14-17) were far more disruptive on the defensive end and, more importantly, they were making shots from all over the floor. But the Golden Bears defense was equally up to the task and when Albany State's offense dried up on a couple of occasions, Miles took full advantage.

The Golden Rams opened a six-point lead with eight minutes left in the first half, capping an 8-0 run with a Titus Burns 3-pointer. But Jelani Watson-Gayle (12 points, five rebounds, three steals) answered with his second 3-pointer of the half, which sparked a 16-4 run that gave Miles a 29-23 lead at the break.

But Albany State came out of the locker room and quickly grabbed momentum, taking a one-point lead less than three minutes into the second half. But a 3-pointer by Nathan Sheffield (10 points) with 14:19 left gave Miles a 36-33 lead and it would not trail again. The Golden Rams stayed within striking distance for a while but a quick 10-3 spurt over a three-minute stretch pushed the Golden Bears advantage to 54-45 - the largest of the game - with six minutes remaining. Albany State would not get closer than four points the rest of the way.

Jared Harrington had 22 points and Tyrell Williams added 12 points and 13 rebounds for Albany State. Miles received strong efforts from Devonte Fuller (13 points, six rebounds), Damian Archer (12 points, six assists), LaByron Harris (nine points, eight rebounds, four blocks) and Jose Roman-Angueria (nine points).