Mired in its first three-game losing streak in five years, Miles found a way to stop its skid and avenge the loss it suffered in last season's SIAC Tournament with a 69-66 win over Benedict Thursday night at Knox-Windham Gymnasium. Rodney Battle and Eddie Smith combined for 32 points - 20 in the second half - as the Golden Bears (7-3, 3-2 SIAC West) fought back several late challenges from the Tigers.

Miles trailed 31-27 at the half and was down by six points less than four minutes into the second half before going on a run. Smith drained two 3-pointers and Makai Vassell (nine points, four assists) added another one during an 11-2 stretch over a two-minute period that gave Miles a 46-43 lead with 14 minutes remaining. Smith stayed hot, knocking down another 3-ball and then got a steal and layup that opened the Golden Bears advantage to 55-48 midway through the final half.

The seven-point Miles lead would evaporate and when Brandon Smith made a 3-pointer with 5:48 left, Benedict had taken a 60-58 lead. But Yasim Hooker (six points, six rebounds, two blocks) scored on the ensuing possession and Corey Trotter (six points, three rebounds) took a feed from Battle and hit a go-ahead 3-ball to give the Golden Bears the lead for good - 63-60 - with 3:54 to go. The Tigers cut the deficit to a single point with less than a minute to go, but Battle hit a basket late in the shot clock to push the lead back to three points with 31 seconds left and Benedict would get no closer.

Tim Moore and Gob Gabriel each had 14 points to lead Benedict. Battle had 21 points on 10-of-18 shooting and Smith added 11 points for Miles, which hosts Allen on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.