ERIE, Pa. -- The Miles women's basketball team played a basketball game for the first time in more than 10 months on Friday. The long layoff seemed like it had an effect on the team's performance as a slow start contributed to an 81-52 defeat against Mercyhurst.

With the pandemic forcing the Lady Bears (0-1) on a long road trip just to get on the floor, the team was playing in new environs under unusual circumstances. Even though the team had had some scrimmages over the past few months, it was not enough to simulate the Lakers squad that moved to 4-0 on the season with the win. Miles missed 18 of its 20 shot attempts in the first quarter and found itself in a 19-6 hole at the end of the period.

The Lady Bears performed much better in the second quarter, going shot-for-shot with the Lakers over the second 10 minutes but still found themselves in a 15-point hole at the break. Consecutive buckets by Markesha Body and Raiana Johnson brought Miles to within 42-28 early in the third quarter. But Mercyhurst took complete control from there and Miles never got any closer. The deficit got as wide as 32 points late in the game.

Miles had some opportunities. The Lady Bears pulled down 22 offensive rebounds but, unfortunately, they only turned that into 16 points. Similarly, Miles forced 21 turnovers - getting three steals each from Breah McGrady and Katrice Jackson - but only got 13 points off of those turnovers.

Johnson led the way for Miles with 10 points and eight rebounds. Mya Millner had eight points and Jasmine Thompson added seven points and six rebounds for the Lady Bears, who play Mercyhurst again tomorrow at 11 a.m.