North Canton, Ohio (November 5, 2010) --- The Milligan College Lady Buffs basketball team lost their first game in the Walsh University Classic 72-54 against Shawnee State University on Saturday night.

Shawnee State jumped out to a quick lead in the first four minutes of the game with an unanswered 11-point run. Milligan bounced back with a 7-point run of their own starting with a 2-point shot by sophomore guard Jaimee Hill (Johnson City, Tenn.) and ending with a 3-point shot by freshman guard Tracy Hardiman (Maryville, Tenn.). Shawnee State would control the lead to the end of the first half with a score of 33-19.

The Lady Buffs struck first out of the second half on free throws made by junior center Alisha Mainer (Flag Pond, Tenn.) and sophomore forward Dorian Freeman (Augusta, Ga.). Milligan, however, could not find offensive rhythm and never captured the lead back from Shawnee State, who won the game by 18 points.

Defensively, senior center Heather Mandela (Fairfax, Va.) recorded 13 points and 14 rebounds, both of which were game-highs for the Lady Buffs.

“We were just really bad on offense,” head coach Rich Aubrey said. “We shot poorly from everywhere on the floor. Combine that with 25 turnoves, and it was just too much to overcome.

“Shawnee State is a good team, but we were our own worst enemies tonight.”

With the loss, the Lady Buffs fall to 1-1 on the season.

Milligan returns to action for their second game of the Walsh University Classic against Walsh State University on Saturday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m.