LeMoyne-Owen opened a 10-point lead in the first half on Miles and led for nearly 90 percent of the game on Saturday. But given a clear look as to who would be leading a comeback effort for the Golden Bears, the Magicians were unable to do anything to stop it.

Rodney Battle and Anthony Latty combined for 37 points - including an incredible run in the second half where they scored all the points - as Miles earned the come-from-behind 66-61 victory over LeMoyne-Owen on Senior Day to clinch at least the No. 2 seed in the West Division. The Golden Bears (19-6, 14-5 SIAC) shot 54 percent from the floor in the second half to secure the season sweep of the Magicians (18-10, 13-7) and remain in position to win the division on Monday.

Miles had already started to melt away the early deficit, closing to within 30-25 at halftime. The Golden Bears looked as if they were ready to take over the game in the second half but LOC seemingly had the answer on the offensive end each time Miles got close. Corey Trotter (seven points, three rebounds) scored on the inside to bring Miles to within 43-40 with 14 minutes left but the Magicians quickly answered on the other end with a Micah Evans bucket to extend their lead. But the significance of that Trotter basket was that it would be the last scored by anyone on the Miles roster that was not Battle or Latty.

For the next 13 minutes and 58 seconds, Battle and Latty pulled the strings on the inside-outside game and it was sweet music for the Golden Bears. The work actually started at the free throw line, where the duo made eight consecutive freebies to bring Miles within three points. Then Battle went to work, hitting a floater and a fall-away jumper before raising up for a 3-ball that tied the game at 55 with 5:17 left. But, again, the Magicians had another response, with Gjerard Wilson hitting his own 3-pointer on the ensuing possession to put LOC back in front.

But LeMoyne-Owen would not make another shot from the field over the last 4:50. Another Battle jumper brought Miles within two points, then Latty - who was perfect in six free throw attempts in the second half - made two more to tie the game at 59 with 2:24 to go. The big man from Brooklyn would but his emphatic mark on the game to give Miles the lead for good. He grabbed a Battle miss and slammed it home to give Miles its first lead since 2-0. On the next possession, Chase Ballard (two points, six assists) worked the pick-and-roll perfectly, finding Latty at the goal for another vicious two-hand slam for a 63-59 lead with a minute remaining.

Two Andrew Anderson free throws brought the Magicians to within two points but with the shot clock winding down, Battle drained another jumper, this one with 19 seconds left for a 65-61 lead. Eddie Smith (10 points) would split two free throws with one second left, which brought an end to a run of 25 consecutive points by Battle and Latty.

Kaeden Lawary had 13 points and Tariq Shepherd added 11 for LeMoyne-Owen. Battle had a game-high 21 points and added three assists, Latty (16 points on 5-of-6 shooting, 10 rebounds) set a career-high in points and earned his second double-double in three games, and senior Yasim Hooker added eight points and three rebounds for Miles, which hosts Lane on Monday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.