Milligan College, Tenn. (Jan. 8, 2011) --- The Milligan College men's basketball team came up short in the closing seconds on Saturday afternoon as they fell 60-58 to AAC foe Bluefield College inside Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.

In the first half, Bluefield took advantage of an early run to take an 8-2 lead in the opening minutes. However, Milligan responded as they pulled within one point with 12 minutes remaining with baskets from Marshall Hardy (Kingsport, Tenn.) and Justin Sylvester (Kingsport, Tenn.).

The Buffs defense caused the Rams trouble the rest of the half, including holding Bluefield scoreless for an eight minute span. Milligan took advantage as they went on a 7-0 run to take the lead and a 30-24 lead into halftime.

The second half saw both teams trade shots as neither could pull away from the other as the teams were tied at 42 apiece midway through the second period. After the Rams took a four point lead, Milligan responded as Hudson Fricke (Greeneville, S.C.) and Kyle Grisby (Charlotte, N.C.) both drained 3-pointers with six minutes remaining in the game to put the Buffs back in front.

After Bluefield took a three point lead with three minutes left, Sylvester tied the game at 56. However, the Rams jumped back out in front and Milligan was unable to convert a last second shot to send the game into overtime.

Milligan was led by Sylvester's 19 points. Hardy added 14 points, while the freshman Grisby tossed in nine points.

As a team, Milligan was 18-of-50 (36%) from the floor and 8-of-22 (36%) from the 3-point line. Bluefield was 27-of-51 (52%) from the field and 4-of-11 (36%) from behind the arc.

“Anytime you have a close game, momentum is going to swing,” Head Coach Bill Robinson said. “You feel like you should have won the game, but in a close game momentum shifts are very important.”

With the loss, Milligan moves to 5-9 overall and 1-1 in the AAC.

The Buffs return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 12, when they travel to AAC foe Bryan College. Tipoff is slated for 7:30 p.m., in Dayton, Tenn.