Boone, N.C. (Dec. 30, 2012) --- The Milligan College men's basketball team was unable to keep pace late as they fell 71-51 to NCAA Division I Appalachian State University on Sunday afternoon in exhibition action inside the Holmes Center in Boone, N.C.
 
   Tyler Devault (Kingsport, Tenn.) opened the scoring for the game with four points to give the Buffaloes a 4-2 lead three minutes into the game. The Mountaineers responded with an 8-0 run, but Scott Blake (Greeneville, Tenn.) drained a 3-pointer to break the run as Milligan trailed 10-7 with 12 minutes left in the first half.
 
   The teams traded baskets as Cartree Pettis (Oviedo, Fla.) and Mickey Woods (Port Arthur, Tex.) scored for Milligan to keep pace with Appalachian. After a pair of Chris Ellis (Bristol, Tenn.) free throws to cut the Milligan gap to 17-13 midway through the half, the Mountaineers went on a 10-2 run to take a 12 point lead.
 
    The Buffaloes continued to fight as Torian Sitton (Hendersonville, N.C.) and Woods added baskets to cut the lead back to single digits, and DeVault scored at the buzzer of an assist from Woods as Milligan trailed 30-21 at the break.
 
   DeVault recorded a team high eight points in the first half. As a team, the Buffaloes were 9-of-35 (26%) from the field and 1-of-3 (33%) from the 3-point line. Appalachian ended the half 12-of-38 (31%) from the floor and 3-of-12 (38%) from the 3-point line. Milligan outrebounded the Mountaineers 28-27 in the half.
 
   After the Mountaineers opened the second half on a 6-0 run, Blake responded for Milligan with a 3-pointer, and Devault and Woods added baskets as the Buffaloes trailed 38-28 four minutes into the period. Milligan slowly cut into the App lead with points from Sitton and DeVault to trail 41-32. Blake started a 8-3 run with a 3-pointer that saw the Buffaloes pull within five points with just under 10 points to play.
 
   However, the Mountaineers answered with a 11-0 run before Devault answered for Milligan with a jumper with 6:28 left in the game. Morgan McLeod (Hickory, N.C.) added a 3-pointer for the Buffaloes, but Appalachian answered with another 8-0 run to take a 66-45 lead with four minutes left. Milligan continued to fight in the closing minutes, but they were unable to close the gap.
 
   Devault led the way 12 points and eight rebounds. Blake ended the game with eight points, while Woods had six points.
 
   As a team, Milligan finished the game 21-of-65 (32%) from the field and 4-of-8 (50%) from the 3-point line. Appalachian ended the game 28-of-73 (38%) from the floor and 5-of-20 (25%) from behind the arc.
 
   “I'm happy with the way that the guys competed,” Head Coach Bill Robinson said. “We just ran out of gas in the closing minutes. I am really happy with the way that the guys played and competed.”
 
   The Buffaloes returns to Appalachian Athletic Conference action on Thursday, Jan. 3, as they travel to conference newcomer St. Andrews University. Game time in Laurinburg, N.C., is slated for 7:30 p.m.