Apparently, Miles has the flair for the dramatic part of its game completely put together.

After holding a 12-point lead entering the fourth quarter, the Lady Bears suddenly found themselves tied with Central State with less than a minute to go. But lightly-used reserve forward Kierra Patrick was ready to play the leading role in Monday night's thriller against the Marauders. Her 3-point play with 28 seconds left gave Miles the breathing room it needed in a 62-58 win at Knox-Windham Gymansium.

The victory was the third straight for Miles (12-5, 8-2), whose lead in the SIAC Western Division race increased to one full game over idle Tuskegee. The win was the Lady Bears' ninth straight at home, dating back to last season, including a 7-0 mark in 2019-20. It was also just the second time Miles had defeated CSU (7-11, 5-5) in seven tries.

After giving up the first nine points of the game, Miles used its vaunted defense to put the skids on Central State's offense, holding the Marauders to just 23 points over two-and-a-half quarters of play. A Raiana Johnson (7 points, 5 rebounds) basket late in the first quarter gave the Lady Bears a 12-11 lead and they would not trail again. Patrick and Victoria Sutton would score 12 consecutive points for Miles in the second quarter that helped forge a 30-22 lead at the half.

Things looked more promising in the third quarter as Sutton stayed hot. Her 3-pointer midway through the period, then a 3-point play late each gave the Lady Bears 13-point cushions. Miles led 44-32 at the end of three quarters and it appeared Central State would not have the wherewithal to keep up on the scoreboard.

But a 13-2 run in less than four minutes to start the fourth quarter put a quick end to those thoughts. While Miles would continually stem the tied to hold on to the lead, the Marauders finally wiped out the deficit when Alexus Shirrells got a steal and layup with 52 seconds left that tied the game at 56. 

Miles almost lost the ball on the next possession but it ultimately ended up in the hands of Patrick (9 points, 3 rebounds), who took a feed from Sutton, drove through three Central State defenders and scored as she was fouled. The ensuing free throw gave the Lady Bears a 59-56 advantage. The Marauders weren't done, scoring on the other end with 12 seconds left but they had to foul. Najla Shamsid-Deen hit both of her free throws to put the lead back at three points, then a tie-up on the other end resulted in a jump ball that gave possession to Miles. Sutton would get fouled, make 1-of-2 free throws, and put the game on ice.

Takyra Gilbert and Sandra Guilford each scored 10 points for Central State. Sutton scored a game-high 16 points, Mya Millner added 11 points, and Sakina Wynn had 7 points and 7 rebounds for Miles, which plays at Oakwood on Thursday. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.