BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Miles has previously played on the big stage this season, so getting a chance to play at Legacy Arena in the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Classic Saturday night was not a foreign task.

The Golden Bears showed they were ready for the prime time exposure against Savannah State, racing out to a double-digit lead in the first half and fighting off the Tigers comeback attempts in a 65-53 win. Forwards Joel Logan and Anthony Fairley had their way inside against the smaller Tigers as Miles continued to find ways to win without three key players, including two starters, and several others who are playing through injuries.

After allowing an opening bucket by SSU to start the game, Miles got a 3-pointer from Brandon Miller on the next possession and never trailed again. But the game was close before the Golden Bears used a devastating seven-minute run to take control of the contest. The Golden Bears led just two points before they scored 11 straight points - seven of them by Fairley -- to break the game open. After a Tigers basket caused a short interruption, Miles went back on the offensive. Miller and Elijah Horton (eight points) each drained 3-pointers before Fairley's offensive rebound and put back capped the run to give Miles a 29-10 advantage with 5:46 left before halftime.

But Savannah State got back into the game before halftime thanks to its own huge run. Using a trapping defense that interrupted any offensive flow for Miles, the Tigers forced five turnovers and the Golden Bears missed their only two shot attempts - both 3-pointers - as they scored 16 consecutive points to cut the deficit to three with two minutes remaining. But a Chase Ballard basket stopped the run and Miles went into the break ahead 31-26.

A quick start to the second half allowed Miles to reopen a double-digit lead as SSU missed its first five shots from the floor. A 3-pointer by Mykayle Carter and two Logan free throws had Miles on top 36-26. Savannah State, though, stayed closed and trailed by just three points midway through the second half. From there, Miles finally started to put the game away. Three-pointers by Logan and Miller on consecutive possessions opened up some space before Miles used an 8-0 run to open a 57-42 lead with five minutes left. The Tigers never got closer than 10 points the rest of the way.

Trey DeLoach scored 10 points and was the only player in double figures for Savannah State. Logan (13 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks), Fairley (13 point, seven rebounds) and Miller (11 points) provided the offensive firepower for Miles, who also got solid efforts from Truitt Spencer (eight points) and Yasim Hooker (four points, six steals).