While the records coming into Monday's battle between LeMoyne-Owen and Miles indicated a long afternoon was in store for the visitors, it may have still been beyond what anyone expected during the first half of the contest at Knox-Windham Gymnasium.

Miles was equally proficient on both ends of the floor, shooting the ball inside and out at a near-70 percent clip over the first 20 minutes, as it rolled to a 90-59 win over the Magicians. The victory was the fourth straight for the SIAC-leading Golden Bears (13-3, 10-1) and seventh consecutive over LeMoyne-Owen (3-14, 3-8). The point total was the second-highest against the Magicians in the last 15 years, eclipsed only by a 95-point effort in a loss back in 2016.

It took more than four minutes for the Golden Bears to score from the field, but that was just the simmering before the offensive pot went to full boil. Dorion Staples took four straight shots and made them all, scoring 10 consecutive points as part of a 12-2 run that helped Miles to a 13-7 lead with 12:52 left in the opening half. Three minutes later, it was Chase Ballard (seven points, five assists) scoring on a jumper before knocking down a 3-pointer on consecutive possessions to push the advantage to 20-11 at the 8:51 mark.

But the real heat check came from Alvin Miles, who was unconscious from downtown during the final seven minutes of the half. His first 3-ball came with 7:06 remaining in the half that pushed the lead into double digits (23-13) for the first time. He then started to pull up from wherever he felt like getting a shot off, successively stepping further and further away from the basket as he made it rain 3-pointers. Defender in his face? No problem, as he dropped them on helpless Magician guards, too, who had no answer for his quick release.

Others were getting in on the act as well. Vernon Nash (eight points) - who had not played in more than a month - took advantage of his opportunity and continued to melt the LOC perimeter defense with two 3-pointers of his own. Then, Rylen Walker (11 points) brought the gym to its collective feet when he stepped in the passing lane and took off down court, finishing with a thunderous one-handed dunk that gave Miles a 45-20 lead with 2:18 left before half and forced another Magicians timeout.

Still, the Golden Bears were not done. Miles dropped two more 3-pointers - the last coming with 13 seconds left on the clock - to end his half 5-of-5 from beyond the arc and close his 17 points in seven minutes spurt. Overall, Miles was 18-of-26 (69 percent) from the field in the first half. They were 9-of-13 both inside and outside of the 3-point arc and took a 51-27 lead into halftime. The Golden Bears would score the first eight points of the second half, which included a sixth straight 3-pointer for Miles and closed with a free throw by Najashi Tolefree (10 points) - to grab a 32-point advantage - their biggest lead of the game - with 17:37 left. LOC would not get closer than 23 points the rest of the way.

Khalil Genwright had 20 points and was the only scorer in double figures for LeMoyne-Owen. Miles led all scorers with 22 points and added four assists and Staples had 20 points and eight rebounds for the Golden Bears, who host Tuskegee on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.