MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Even with a double-digit lead with less than eight minutes remaining, Miles found itself in another tight contest Monday night against LeMoyne-Owen. Fortunately, the Golden Bears were up to the task, holding off a late charge from the Magicians to take home a 72-70 win at Hall-Johnson Gymnasium. The win was the sixth straight for Miles (12-3, 8-2 SIAC West), which matches a season high.

Miles stormed to a big lead in the first half. In a three-and-a-half minute stretch, the Golden Bears ran off 14 consecutive points break open what was a tie game. Mykayle Carter drained a 3-ball and followed that with a slam dunk, then Truitt Spencer (nine points) drained his own 3-pointer and Rodney Battle (12 points) knocked down a jumper to cap the run, giving the Golden Bears a 23-9 advantage with 11 minutes left in the half.

Carter was hot from outside, draining two more triples before the break, the last coming with 1:50 remaining in the half for a 15-point lead - Miles' biggest of the game. The Golden Bears shot 55 percent from the field over the first 20 minutes and went into the locker room with a 39-26 lead. While LOC cut the deficit into single digits, Miles answered with another 3-pointer from Carter and two free throws from Battle after a Magicians' technical foul to give Miles a 57-45 lead with 7:25 to go.

But LeMoyne-Owen did not go away. The Magicians would score on four consecutive possessions and capped a 14-2 run with two Tariq Shepherd free throws that tied the game at 59 with 4:25 left. But Chase Ballard (11 points, four assists) had the answers late. His 3-pointer on the ensuing possession put Miles back on top for good. Even as LOC stayed close, he was able to make big plays, none bigger than the 3-point play with 1:50 remaining to put Miles on top 69-65.

The Magicians did have a chance to force overtime. A steal by Shepherd (12 points) gave them the ball and he was able to get a decent look at the basket. But his jumper was not true and time ran out on the comeback attempt sparked by a 60 percent field goal rate in the second half.

Micah Evans had 14 points, seven rebounds and seven assists to lead LeMoyne-Owen. Carter had a team-high 14 points off the bench and Anthony Latty had 11 points and seven rebounds for Miles, which hosts Kentucky State on Monday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.