SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Miles was looking to go into its winter break with some momentum but ran into a buzzsaw against undefeated Savannah State.

The Tigers (9-0, 4-0 SIAC) shot nearly 50 percent from the field in opening a double-digit first half lead en route to a 73-65 win over the Lady Bears (8-2, 1-2) Saturday afternoon at Tiger Arena. Miles nearly erased a 21-point deficit in the fourth quarter before dropping its first road contest of the season.

The Lady Bears were in deep trouble early, missing six of their first seven shots from the field while turning the ball over four times. That added up to a 15-2 deficit less than six minutes into the game. SSU would lead by as many as 15 points in the opening period before settling for a 22-12 advantage at the end of the first quarter. While Miles still struggled to find consistency on offense in the second quarter, the Tigers stayed solid, shooting 50 percent from the field and went into the half ahead 40-24.

The SSU lead remained in double figures throughout the third quarter and less than a minute into the fourth, The Tigers had opened a 62-41 lead, their biggest of the game. From there, though, The Lady Bears began to make a run. Nadia Cathey made two baskets - including a 3-pointer - that sandwiched a Deresia Randle bucket  to cut seven points from the deficit. Then, Randle and Camryn London (nine points, four rebounds, five assists) each had two baskets as part of a 9-0 run that brought Miles to within 66-58 with 3:11 remaining.

But Savannah State was able to hold serve from there. The Tigers made 7-of-10 free throws down the stretch and while Miles was able to close the deficit to six points late, SSU was able to close out the victory.

Four players scored in double figures for Savannah State, led by Bria Gibbs, who has 18 points and 12 rebounds. Randle scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds, Markisha Body added 10 points and six rebounds, and Tahlor Sutton finished with nine points and two steals for Miles, which is back in action on Jan. 3 when it hosts Clark Atlanta. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.