SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State is one step closer to playing for a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title but they first must get past Miles in the semifinals.
 
In the quarterfinals, Savannah State defeated Tuskegee 81-68 on March 7 and Miles edged Clark Atlanta 56-54 on March 8. Both contests were in Tiger Arena.
 
The Lady Tigers split their season series with Miles, losing at Miles on December 4 by a score of 68-45 and winning 56-51 in Tiger Arena on February 7.
 
To recap the December match-up, it was SSU's first road game of the season. Struggling to find their rhythm, the Lady Tigers fell behind 11-4 in the first quarter and had to play catch-up all night.
 
Each time Savannah State would gain some momentum, the Bears would make a run and led by as many as 25 at one point in the game.

Amari Heard was the only Savannah State player in double figures with 15 points. She also had a team-high seven rebounds.
 
Fast forward to the game in February. Miles entered the game having won 17 of their last 18 contests while Savannah State came in as winners of nine of their last ten games.
 
To add fuel to the fire, both teams were leading their respective SIAC Divisions with SSU on top of the East and the Bears in first place in the West.
 
At that time, Savannah State, received a vote in the latest Division II Top Ten South Region Media Poll and was ranked sixth in the HBCU Premier Sports & More Women's Basketball Top Ten Poll while Miles, was tied for sixth in the Division II Top Ten South Region Media Poll, ranked second in the HBCU Premier Sports & More Women's Basketball Top Ten Poll and ranked 22nd in the NCAA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll.
 
Miles' ranking provided the fuel the Lady Tigers needed as Savannah State would begin the final quarter of play with a 11-0 run as they held the Bears without any points until Imani Williams made a layup with 40 seconds left.

Twice within the final 17 seconds Miles was able whittle their deficit down to four with the last time being with six seconds left.
 
Miles led 28-26 at the half and 41-39 entering the fourth quarter.
 
Heard led the way for Savannah State with a season-high 25 points to go along with her six rebounds and six steals, which matched a personal best for her. Nyla Allen scored 16 points and Ta'Quasia Lampkin pulled down 11 rebounds.
 
When asked about his game plan for stopping Miles, head coach Cedric Baker noted that the teams split their series during the regular season and that Miles is well coached and physical. He added that "we must match their intensity and execute on defense."
 
SSU enters the game with a 20-5 record while Miles, who lost to Tuskegee in the 2023 championship game, is similar at 21-6.
 
Miles is ranked ninth in the Division II South Regional rankings and received eight votes in the WBCA NCAA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll.
 
Tip-off is set for 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 9 in Tiger Arena.
 
The winner will advance to the SIAC championship game on Sunday, March 10 at 12 noon in EnMarket Arena.