Miles knows it needs some help to get another SIAC West Division crown, but the Golden Bears helped themselves to a big 84-65 win over Spring Hill on Monday night at Knox-Windham Gymnasium. It was the 19th straight win over the Badgers for Miles (18-6, 16-6 SIAC West), which remained one game behind Tuskegee for the top spot in the West.

Things looked a bit bleak at the beginning of the game, as Spring Hill started fast. The Badgers made six of their first eight shots from the field and opened an 18-5 lead in the first five minutes of the game. But Miles used its own big run to go back in front for good. The Golden Bears forced five turnovers and held Spring Hill without a bucket for more than seven minutes. Meanwhile, Tyon Thompson - playing at home for the first time since December - scored seven points during a 19-point spurt, with his 3-pointer giving Miles a 24-18 lead with 8:25 left in the opening half.

Najashi Tolefree scored eight points over the final 7:33 and had 12 points at halftime to help Miles to a 38-32 halftime advantage. His three-point play in the early portion of the second half saw the Golden Bears take a 45-35 lead. He continued to punish the Badgers by crashing the boards and getting good looks in the lane, at one point scoring six straight points and ultimately getting another bucket with 10:51 remaining to push the Miles advantage to 59-39. The senior forward tied his career-high with 27 points and set a career mark with 15 rebounds.

Miles led by as many as 24 points in the second half. Cameron Jernigan had 11 points, 11 rebounds and three big dunks on the night. Former Badger Jaden Emory had 12 points off the bench, Thompson had 12 points and six assists, and David Williams had 13 points and four assists for the Golden Bears, who host Edward Waters on Thursday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.