Miles used a dominant third quarter to build a big lead but needed to hold off a late rally from Albany State before securing a 64-55 win Thursday night at Knox-Windham Gymnasium. The victory was the eighth in-a-row for the Lady Bears (8-1, 5-0 SIAC West), who have won all five of their home contests this season and nine straight in Fairfield dating back to last season.

The Lady Bears took the lead for good in the second quarter and led 30-26 at halftime. But in the third quarter, Miles seemingly put the game out of reach. Albany State (1-14, 1-6) made only two baskets from the field - none in the final 4:34 of the period - and watched as the Lady Bears closed with a flourish. Nuriyah Slaton (nine points) and Iemyiah Harris drained consecutive 3-pointers and Madison Lee sandwiched two second-chance buckets around a steal and score from Imani Williams to open a 51-30 advantage going into the fourth quarter.

Two Feliah Greer free throws to start the fourth quarter capped a 14-0 run and give Miles its biggest lead at 23 points. When Tederia Ashley (six points, six rebounds) secured another offensive rebound and putback for the Lady Bears - one of 18 offensive boards that led to 26 second chance points - Miles led 57-38 with just more than six minute left in the game. It looked like the game was in the bag.

But the Lady Rams did not go away quietly. Miles took only one shot from the field over the final six minutes - and missed it. Eight turnovers and two technical fouls by the Lady Bears helped fuel the Albany State comeback attempt. When Juanisha Black scored after an offensive rebound, the once-unthinkable comeback looked very plausible as the deficit had been cut to 60-55 with 28 seconds remaining. But Greer (team-high 12 points, three steals) and Lee (11 points, four rebounds, three blocks) knocked down four straight free throws to close out the win. 

Johanna Bell scored 20 points to lead Albany State. Harris (nine points, six assists, four steals), Williams (six points, four rebounds, three steals) and Asha Shareef (four points, four rebounds, three blocks) helped a balanced attack for Miles, which hosts Fort Valley State on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.