Lady Bears’ Historic Season Ends in NCAA South Region First Round

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The dream of an NCAA Tournament breakthrough will have to wait another year for the Miles Lady Bears.

Despite entering the tournament with momentum and the most successful season in program history, No. 4-seed Miles saw its postseason run end Friday night with a 91–71 loss to No. 5-seed Nova Southeastern in the opening round of the NCAA Division II South Regional at SportsMED Arena in Spragins Hall.

The defeat closes the book on a historic campaign for Miles, which finished the season 25–6 — the most wins the program has ever recorded. The three-time SIAC champions entered the tournament hopeful that experience and a higher seed would finally push them past the first round after back-to-back appearances in the regional.

Instead, a difficult first quarter proved too much to overcome.

Miles grabbed an early 5–3 lead behind Nayla Wesley, who scored the game’s first basket and converted a three-point play. But Nova Southeastern quickly seized control, ripping off a 15–0 run in just three minutes to swing the momentum. The Sharks shot 63 percent in the opening quarter while forcing 10 Miles turnovers to build a 24–14 lead after the first period.

The Lady Bears found their rhythm offensively in the second quarter, shooting 54 percent from the field. However, turnovers and Nova’s dominance on the offensive glass allowed the Sharks to attempt 15 more shots in the period. That advantage helped Nova Southeastern stretch the lead to 48–29 by halftime.

The Sharks continued to apply pressure in the third quarter, pushing the lead to as many as 24 points after hitting four early three-pointers. But Miles refused to fold.

The Lady Bears mounted a spirited rally late in the period, sparked by a three-pointer from Samarian Franklin. Shannon Niles and Makayla Rieves added key baskets inside as Miles tightened its defense, holding Nova to just one field goal over the final five minutes of the quarter. Wesley capped the run by scoring off her own rebound, trimming the deficit to 64–52 heading into the fourth.

Miles briefly carried that momentum into the final period, connecting on four of its first five shots. Wesley’s basket with 7:15 remaining made it 72–60, but the Lady Bears couldn’t get closer.

Nova Southeastern answered with a decisive 12–2 run, including two transition baskets that pushed the lead back to a comfortable margin. The Sharks shot an impressive 71 percent in the fourth quarter to seal the victory and end Miles’ season.

Nova Southeastern placed six players in double figures, led by Kaliyah Morales with 20 points.

Franklin paced Miles with 18 points, five assists and four rebounds. Wesley added 16 points and four rebounds, while Rieves contributed 14 points, five rebounds and five steals. Niles chipped in 10 points for the Lady Bears.

Though the postseason result fell short of their goal, the Lady Bears leave the court with a season that set a new standard in program history — one that could serve as the foundation for future NCAA Tournament success.