Miles asserted its defensive presence Wednesday night when it opened the 2019-20 season with a 44-36 win over Auburn Montgomery at Knox-Windham Gymnasium.

The Lady Bears (1-0) forced 22 turnovers and held the Warhawks (2-1) a shade under 26 percent shooting from the field. With the game on the line in the fourth quarter, Miles allowed just six points, forcing AUM to miss 14 of its 17 attempts from the field and not get closer than four points over the final 10 minutes.

Behind Raiana Johnson's game-high 10 rebounds, AUM was not able to have many second chance opportunities. The Lady Bears' perimeter defense forced turnovers but it also was effective in shutting down the outside shooting, holding AUM to a lackluster 2-of-17 from beyond the arc.

Offensively, Mya Millner (10 points, four rebounds, three steals) paced the Lady Bears. After trailing for most of the first half, her bucket with 4:16 left in the second quarter gave Miles its first lead, 16-15. The Lady Bears would lead 19-18 at halftime and never trailed in the second half as Millner scored two quick buckets on the break to start the second half to give Miles a cushion it wouldn't relinquish.

Victoria Morales (11 points, nine rebounds, four blocks, two steals) and Jemaiya Lee (10 points, six rebounds) led the Warhawks. Sakina Wynn (eight points, five rebounds) and Kahyanne Bolton (five points, four rebounds, two steals) played well for Miles, which hosts Carver College in the Lady Bears Tip-Off Classic on Friday. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.