Miles Roars Into SIAC Championship Game, Cementing Legacy as HBCU Basketball Powerhouse

MORROW, Ga. - When you're a powerhouse HBCU basketball program looking to cement your legacy, what's a mere five extra minutes of play?

Miles College, the storied Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Fairfield, Alabama, needed that extra time on Friday afternoon to overcome a valiant effort from Clark Atlanta University in the semifinals of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Women's Basketball Tournament presented by Toyota. But when the final buzzer sounded, the No. 24-ranked Lady Bears emerged victorious, 75-72, becoming the first team in four years to reach the SIAC title game for a remarkable fourth consecutive season.

In the process, Miles set a new program record, tallying their 24th win of the 2022-23 campaign - the most in a single season in school history, surpassing the previous mark set just two years ago. This latest triumph is just the latest chapter in the Lady Bears' ongoing ascent as one of the premier HBCU basketball powerhouses in the nation.

The Lady Bears' path to the SIAC championship game was anything but easy, however, as they had to outlast a determined Clark Atlanta Panthers squad in a back-and-forth battle that ultimately required overtime to decide.

"I'm so proud of this team and how we battled back in that overtime period," said Miles head coach Reginald Ruffin. "Clark Atlanta gave us everything they had, but our girls just refused to lose. This team has championship DNA, and they showed it once again today."

The Lady Bears' victory sets the stage for a highly anticipated SIAC title clash on Saturday against the winner of the other semifinal matchup between Benedict College and Albany State University. Regardless of their opponent, Miles will be seeking to capture its third SIAC championship in the last four seasons, further cementing its status as the premier HBCU women's basketball program in the country.

HBCUConnect Perspective: The continued success of the Miles College women's basketball team is a testament to the immense talent and rich basketball tradition found at Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the nation. As the Lady Bears vie for their third SIAC title in four years, their remarkable run is a source of immense pride for the entire HBCU community. Miles' ascent as a national powerhouse program serves as an inspiring example of the excellence that can be achieved when HBCU student-athletes are given the opportunity to shine on the biggest stages. The Lady Bears' historic accomplishments this season are a testament to the depth of basketball prowess within the HBCU ranks, and their continued dominance will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of HBCU hoops stars.

Originally reported by SIAC Sports.