Bristol, Va. (Nov. 28, 2012) --- The Milligan College women's basketball team used a strong opening half to take a commanding lead and never looked back as they took a 84-68 victory over Virginia Intermont in Appalachian Athletic Conference play on Wednesday night inside the Cobra Den in Bristol, Va.
 
   After the Lady Cobras got on the board early, the Buffaloes ran out to a 10-4 lead seven minutes into the opening half. Milligan continued to control the game early as they pushed the lead out to 22-8 midway through the half with points from Tracy Hardiman (Maryville, Tenn.) and Kayla Kelly (Chattanooga, Tenn.).
 
   Virginia Intermont quickly cut the lead to eight points with just over six minutes to play in the half. However, the Buffaloes used a strong defensive effort to take a 46-24 lead in the final minutes of the half, and they maintained a 46-29 lead at the break.
 
   In the first half, Jamiee Hill (Johnson City, Tenn.) and Kelly led the way with 12 points. As a team, the Buffaloes were 15-of-34 (44%) from the floor and 6-of-14 (43%) from the 3-point line. VI finished the half 11-of-31 (36%) from the field and 0-9 (0%) from behind the arc.
 
   In the second half, the Lady Cobras slowly cut the Milligan lead to six points. However, that was close as they could get as Milligan answered with a three point play from Hill and a pair of free throws from Hardiman. After VI trimmed the lead back to single digits, Kelly sparked a 6-0 run and Johneshia Good (Johnson City, Tenn.) drained a 3-pointer to put Milligan up 73-60 with 6:03 left in the game.
 
   Allison Jones (Morristown, Tenn.) added a pair of free throws to move the Milligan lead to 15 points. The Milligan defense proved to be stingy in the final five minutes of the game as they kept the Lady Cobras at bay to preserve the victory.
 
   Kelly led the way with 17 points and six rebounds, while Hill tallied up 15 points and a team high seven rebounds. Hardiman finished the night with 14 points and four assists. Good and Jones scored 13 and 12 points, respectively.
 
   As a team, Milligan finished the game 26-of-66 (39%) from the field and 8-of-21 (38%) from the 3-point line. VI was 27-of-75 (36%) from the floor and 2-of-20 (10%) from behind the arc.
 
   With the win, Milligan starts conference play 1-0 and improves to 6-2 overall.
 
   The Buffaloes return to action on Saturday, Dec. 1, as they host Montreat College inside Steve Lacy Fieldhouse. Game time is set for 2 p.m.