Coming into Saturday's SIAC tilt against Lane, Miles knew it would be down two starters. The chance at extending its school-record win streak was in peril before the ball went up at center court.

But the Lady Bears used a streak at the start of the contest that nearly matched their winning streak, scoring the first 13 points of the game in building a huge lead, then holding on late for a 58-51 victory at Knox-Windham Gymnasium.

The win was the 11^th consecutive for the 25th-ranked Lady Bears (11-1, 7-0 SIAC West) and continues the best start in program annuls. It also marked the 12^th straight win at home for Miles and fourth consecutive win over Lane (6-8, 4-4).

Defense was the story for the Lady Bears in the first half. Lane turned the ball over six times and missed its first three shots from the field. Miles took advantage, getting three straight 3-pointers from Kiyara Howard-Garza and Iemyiah Harris and running the score up on the Dragons. When India Brown knocked down a short jumper with five minutes left in the opening quarter, the score was 13-0.

Lane did not score its first points until six-and-a-half minutes had elapsed. Things did not get much better for the Dragons, who trailed 17-7 at the end of the first period. Tederia Ashley drained two free throws right before halftime and the Miles lead was 37-15 at the break. Lane made just three field goals and shot 14 percent from the field through the first 20 minutes as Miles broke the game open.

The Lady Bears continued to pour it on in the third. Howard-Garza, who was making her first start for Miles, scored on a short jumper with 3:28 left in the quarter for a 48-25 advantage. It appeared that Lane was ready to pack up and move on to the next contest.

But the pressure that Lane started to apply on the defensive end started to bear fruit in the fourth quarter. The Lady Bears offense dried up and the turnovers started to increase. The Dragons, who trailed by 18 entering the fourth quarter, cut the deficit to nine points with two minutes remaining. But Miles was able to right the ship and hold of the late surge to secure the victory.

Dyani Bernstine scored 12 points as the only player in double figures for Lane. Harris scored a game-high 19 points, Howard-Garza scored 12 and Ashley added eight for the Lady Bears, who are back in action on Monday when they host LeMoyne-Owen. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.