The Golden Bears have shown an early pattern en route to racking up victories. Stay close in the first half, turn up the defensive efficiency in the second half, make all of your free throws, pocket another win.

Fort Valley State got a first-hand view of Miles' plan on Saturday as the Golden Bears mapped out a 72-60 win over the Wildcats at Knox-Windham Gymnasium for their 20th consecutive home victory. FVSU (1-3, 0-3 SIAC) led 36-35 at halftime and opened a seven-point advantage less than three minutes into the second half. But after getting four buckets in those three minutes, the Wildcats made just four more basket the rest of the game as Miles took control.

Down 44-37, Miles head coach Fred Watson called a timeout to gather his troops. Coming out of the break, the Golden Bears went on a 9-2 run to tie the game in less than three minutes. A layup by Meka Nnaji with seven-and-a-half minutes left gave the Wildcats a 53-52 lead. But Cameron Jernigan scored on the other end to put Miles back in front and spark a 10-2 run that put Miles in control. Tyon Thompson and Elijah Terry (six points)  alternated buckets for the final eight points that gave the Golden Bears a 62-55 lead with 3:51 to go.

Jernigan (14 points, six rebounds, four blocks) and David Williams went 6-of-6 from the charity stripe down the stretch as the lead got as high as 14 points. As a team, Miles shot 83 percent from the free throw line (20-of-24) and is now shooting 86 percent from the line for the season.

Jaylen Jackson scored 17 points and Nnaji added 13 for Fort Valley State. Thompson scored a game-high 21 points, Tolefree had a double-double (11 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, two blocks, two steals), and Williams added 15 points for Miles, which hosts Clayton State on Tuesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.