COLUMBIA, S.C. -- After averaging just more than 50 points per game during a recent three-game stretch, Miles was able to get its offense in gear on Thursday night en route to a 78-59 non-conference win over Benedict at HRC Arena. It was the second road win over the Lady Tigers (7-15) this season and fifth straight victory in the series for the Lady Bears (15-6), who have not lost at Benedict since 2016.

Miles led by just four points entering the fourth quarter but Benedict could not put the ball in the basket to start the period. The Lady Tigers had a drought from the field for almost the first six minutes of the period and the Lady Bears took full advantage. A 13-1 put the game out of reach, starting with a Eunique McKinney bucket. Laila Minter would score on the ensuing possession and Miles led 60-50 - its first double-digit lead of the game - with 6:29 remaining.

One minute later, a 3-pointer by Kiyara Howard-Garza continued the run before a 3-point play by Makayla Rieves (nine points, seven rebounds) and a 3-ball from Iemyiah Harris on back-to-back possessions lifted the advantage to 69-51 with 4:27 to go. The lead would grow as large as 20 points on two Feliah Greer free throws with less than 90 seconds left in the contest and closed out a 26-point fourth quarter for Miles.

The fourth quarter run barely eclipsed the 25-point, second quarter effort the Lady Bears used to get back into the contest. After shooting a scant 20 percent in the first quarter and trailing by seven points, Miles finally found some offensive rhythm before halftime. Nine straight points, capped by a short jumper from Tederia Ashley, erased the deficit and gave the Lady Bears an 18-17 lead. Miles would shoot 54 percent from the field during the period and a free throw by Howard-Garza (seven points) sent the team into the break with a 32-31 advantage.

Kaya Evans had 11 points off the bench for Benedict, the only double-digit scorer for the Lady Tigers. Harris (20 points, six rebounds, three assists), Ashley (14 points, eight rebounds, three assists), Greer (10 points, five rebounds, three assists), and India Brown (seven points, three rebounds in eight minutes) were the top scorers for Miles, which plays at LeMoyne-Owen on Monday. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.