Boone, N.C. (Nov. 26, 2011) --- The Milligan College men's basketball team kept pace with NCAA Division I Appalachian State University until the closing stages as they fell 81-58 to the Mountaineers on Saturday in exhibition action inside the Holmes Center in Boone, N.C.
 
   The Mountaineers opened the game on a 7-2 run in the game's opening minutes. However, Milligan clawed their way back as Kyle Grisby (Charlotte, N.C.) drained a 3-pointer and freshman Morgan McLeod (Hickory, N.C.) hit a layup to pull the Buffaloes within three points five minutes into the game.
 
   Milligan kept slowly cutting into the lead as Grisby capped a 14-5 run with a 3-pointer to give Milligan a 22-21 lead with seven minutes left in the first half. However, the Mountaineers went on a 5-0 run that sparked them to outscore Milligan 23-8 to take a 44-29 lead into halftime.
 
   In the first half, Milligan was 10-of-33 (30%) from the floor and 3-of-10 (30%) from behind the arc. Appalachian was 17-of-40 (43%) from the field and 3-of-13 (23%) from behind the 3-point line. Grisby led Milligan in the first half with nine points.
 
   Torian Sitton (Hendersonville, N.C.) opened the scoring with a layup for the Buffaloes. A McLeod tip-in and then Grisby capped off an 8-2 run with a 3-pointer to pull Milligan to 52-39 with just under 14 minutes remaining.
 
   Despite a hard fought effort by the Buffaloes, Appalachian State was able to extend their lead and preserve the victory in the game's closing stages.
 
   Grisby led the Buffaloes with 12 points, while Cordero Seymour (Inagua, Bahamas) and Sitton had seven points apiece. Jordan Cross (Bluff City, Tenn.) and Corey Hendren (Lexington, S.C.) had six points.
 
   As a team, Milligan was 23-of-64 (36%) from the field and 5-of-19 (26%) from the 3-point line. The Mountaineers ended the game 33-of-68 (49%) from the floor and 6-of-19 (32%) from the 3-point line.
 
   The Buffaloes open AAC play on Wednesday, Nov. 30, when they host Virginia Intermont inside Steve Lacy Fieldhouse. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.