TUSKEGEE, Ala. -- With a chance to take command of the SIAC West Division race, Miles was unable to slow down a red-hot Tuskegee squad on Saturday afternoon at Chappie James Arena.
The Lady Bears (13-6, 10-4) squandered a 14-point lead, making just two field goals and scoring eight total points in the second half of a 53-46 defeat to the Golden Tigerettes. It was the second straight loss for the Lady Bears - the first time that has happened this season - and gave Tuskegee (13-8, 10-4) its eighth straight win and a sweep of the season series, important now that the two teams are tied atop the West Division with five games to play.
Miles looked strong early, with
Tederia Ashley scoring six quick points to take the lead and
Laila Minter drilling back-to-back 3-pointers to close out the opening quarter for a 22-12 lead. An 10-2 run late in the second quarter - with all the points scored by
Iemyiah Harris and
Feliah Greer - had the Lady Bears advantage at 14 points. The eventually went into halftime with a 38-27 lead.
From there, the offense went cold. After
Eunique McKinney opened the third quarter splitting two free throws, Tuskegee scored the next 17 points to take a 44-39 lead with just less than two minutes left in the period. Miles made its only bucket with 42 seconds left in the frame - from
Madison Lee (seven points) - which pulled the Lady Bears to within 46-43 heading into the final quarter. When McKinney scored again with 7:55 remaining, it knotted the score at 46.
But Miles would not score another points, closing the game out with six turnovers and six missed shots from the field. The game remained close, as Tuskegee made just two field goals during that time. But it was enough to secure the victory and share of first place in the SIAC West.
Brittney Bolin scored a game-high 12 points to lead Tuskegee. Ashley (10 points, seven rebounds, three blocks), Greer (eight points, nine rebounds, two steals), and Harris (eight points, four rebounds, three steals) were the offensive leaders for Miles, which plays on Monday at Spring Hill. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
