Miles withstood an early challenge from Central State, then warded off a comeback attempt early in the second half in earning a 65-56 win over the Marauders Saturday afternoon at Knox-Windham Gymnasium. The Golden Bears (11-3, 5-1) have now won five straight and sit atop the SIAC Western Division.

The Golden Bears opened a nine-point lead less than nine minutes into the contest. But a 14-2 run by Central State, punctuated by a 3-pointer from Dustin Davis, put the Marauders on top 23-20 with 6:27 left during in the first half. During that stretch, Miles missed 8-of-9 shots from the field and turned the ball over four times.

But as if awaken from a hypnosis, Miles snapped out of it and went on its own tear. The Golden Bears would score the next nine points to take the lead for good and finished the half on a 13-2 jaunt to go into the break with a 33-25 advantage. Truitt Spencer and Yasim Hooker each scored four points in the run while CSU missed 4-of-5 shots and turned the ball over twice.

Both teams seemingly traded baskets throughout the early portions of the second half. When Raymon Adams (team-high 19 points) scored with 12 minutes left, the Marauders trailed just 43-41. CSU had the ball with the chance to tie the game or take the lead but failed to convert. At that point Miles took over and it was Mykayle Carter who played the leading role.

After Willie Jackson missed a potential game-tying layup, Brandon Miller grabbed the rebound, fired it upcourt to Carter, who drained a 3-ball to extend the lead. Two possessions late, leading by four, Spencer got a steal. The ball found its way to Miller who then fed Carter, which led to another 3-point bomb. The sophomore forward would score in the paint on the Golden Bears' next possession, then finished his fantastic run one a fastbreak bucket after a steal and feed from Miller that gave Miles a 53-45 lead with 10:40 to go.

Central State tried to stay close, but it had an issue containing Hooker all game. The junior guard would put the final nail in the coffin  with two-and-a-half minutes remaining when he threw down a one-hand dunk on a CSU defender and was fouled, converting the three-point play and giving Miles a 61-53 advantage. The Golden Bears would lead by as many as 12 points late. Hooker finished with a season-high 21 points.

Michael Reeves had 17 points and 10 rebounds and Alex Dotson added 10 points and eight rebounds for Central State. Carter had 13 points and five rebounds, Anthony Fairley had six points and a team-high seven rebounds, and Miller added nine points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals for the Golden Bears, who will host Kentucky State on Monday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.