It had been nearly 11 months since the Miles women's basketball team played a game at Knox-Windham Gymnasium before this weekend's tilts with Tuskegee. While the opponent was the same, the circumstances - in the world and the standings - had markedly changed.

Another thing that was different was the final results. The Lady Bears (0-6) struggled in most facets on Saturday as the Golden Tigers grabbed game one, 65-52. On Sunday, Miles had the lead with less than 30 seconds remaining but was unable to finish, dropping a 64-62 decision that gave Tuskegee (2-0) a sweep of the two-game set.

 SATURDAY - TUSKEGEE 65, MILES 52

The Golden Tigers dominated the middle two periods and the Lady Bears did not have an answer on either end of the floor until the game was no longer in doubt. Miles trailed 15-10 after the first quarter but after a bucket by Markisha Body, it trailed just 21-19 with just less than six minutes remaining before the half. From there, Tuskegee took control, outscoring Miles 15-2 over the next four-plus minutes. During that stretch, Miles missed eight straight shots until Charlisa Wellington (three points, seven rebounds, two steals) scored with less than 40 seconds left to break the drought. Still, the Lady Bears went into the half trailing 36-23.

Back-to-back baskets by Raven Hand and Katrice Jackson (six points each) trimmed the Lady Bears deficit to single digits but that did not last long. Miles would miss 10 of its final 11 shots of the quarter and turned the ball over four times as Tuskegee pushed its lead to 21 points going into the fourth quarter. While Miles held Tuskegee to just six points in the final period and forced 31 turnovers in the game, the Lady Bears were undone by shooting under 23 percent from the field and 55 percent from the free throw line while committing 20 turnovers of their own.

JuToreyia Willis scored a game-high 13 points while India Blakely and Tamia Willingham-King each had 10 points for Tuskegee. Miles was paced by Body and Mya Millner (11 points each) and Raiana Johnson (six points, seven rebounds).

SUNDAY - TUSKEGEE 64, MILES 62

In a game that featured 14 ties and 11 lead changes, it was the final minute that told the tale of this contest. Mya Millner (five points, six rebounds) scored on a short jumper with 47 seconds left to give Miles a 61-60 advantage. After getting a stop on the defensive end, Je'Keria Strickland (three points, five assists, four rebounds) was fouled on the ensuing possession. She split the pair of free throws to give the Lady Bears a two-point cushion with 25 seconds remaining.

Tuskegee's India Blakely was fouled on a drive to the basket on the Golden Tigers next possession and she drained both free throws to tie the game at 62 with 18 seconds on the clock. Miles had an opportunity to hold for the final shot but a quick drive to the basket was fruitless and Tuskegee gained possession. Blakely, again, was fouled, this time with six seconds left. As she had for most of the game (11-of-13 from the charity stripe) and certainly the fourth quarter (8-of-9), Blakely made both free throws to put Tuskegee on top.

Miles had a final opportunity to force overtime. Kahyanne Bolton drove the basket but her layup was off. Katrice Jackson (six points, six rebounds) was fouled on the putback with 0.6 seconds left as the ball rolled around the rim and out to nix a tie game. Jackson went to the line needing to make both free throws but she missed the first, forcing her to intentionally miss the second and hope for a quick tip-in. Unfortunately, Tuskegee was able to grab the rebound and leave with a late come-from-behind win.

Blakely (21 points) and Ashiala Jackson (13 points, 13 rebounds) were the top scorers for Tuskegee. Bolton (team-high 14 points), Charlisa Wellington (10 points, seven rebounds), Raven Hand (seven points), and Raiana Johnson (team-high eight rebounds) led the charge for Miles.

UP NEXT

The Lady Bears travel to South Carolina to face Allen for two games on Jan. 27-28. Both contests tip at 5 p.m.