Boone, N.C. (Dec. 17, 2009) --- The Milligan College Buffs fought hard, but came up short as they fell 113-91 to NCAA D-I foe Appalachian State in a exhibition game in the Holmes Center.

In the first half, the Buffs got behind by as many as 20 points before clawing back to cut the Mountaineer lead to 10 points before entering the locker room at halftime trailing 56-41. The Buffs had five 3-pointers in the half compared to the Mountaineers' eight 3-pointers, most of which came during the opening minutes.      

The second half continued to be a 3-point shootout as the Buffs kept pace with Appalachian, but could not cut any farther into the Mountaineer lead. The Buffs were 13-of-36 from behind the 3-point line for the game, and both teams combined for 29 3-pointers.

The former Dobyns-Bennett standout Justin Sylvester (Kingsport, Tenn.) led the way with 25 points. Freshman Dustin McConnell (Kingsport, Tenn.), another Dobyns-Bennett standout, freshman Eric Trujillo (Miami, FL) and freshman Bryant Edwards (Tabor City, N.C.) all had 11 points in the contest.

The Buffs are finished for 2009 as they return to action on Jan. 4 when they travel to Berea (Ky.) College. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.