Milligan College, Tenn. (Feb. 11, 2012) --- The Milligan College women's basketball team erased a double-digit deficit, but was unable to get back in front as they fell 78-71 to AAC front runner No. 18 Tennessee Wesleyan inside the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon. 
 
   Tennessee Wesleyan took a strong lead early in the first half as they ran out to a 17-2 lead. Milligan continued to fight as they went on a 10-0 run sparked by five points from Alisha Mainer (Flag Pond, Tenn.) with six minutes left to cut the gap to four points. However, the Lady Bulldogs responded with another run of the own to take a 44-27 lead entering the half.
 
   Kayla Kelly (Chattanooga, Tenn.) led the team at the half with six points. Joneshia Good (Johnson City, Tenn.), Jaimee Hill (Johnson City, Tenn.) and Mainer all had 5-points.
 
   At the half, Milligan was 10-of-33 (30%) from the floor and 4-of-12 (33%) from the 3-point line. Tennessee Wesleyan was 19-of-33 (58%) from the floor and 4-of-11 (36%) from behind the arc.
 
   In the second half, the Buffaloes came out strong as Good drained three consecutive 3-pointers to cut the gap to 10 five minutes into the frame.  Milligan continued to slowly cut into the Lady Bulldogs lead.
 
   With two minutes left in the game, Milligan closed the gap to seven points, and then Kelly hit a jumper to pull Milligan 70-67 with just over a minute left in the game.  However, Tennessee Wesleyan responded with a 3-pointer to extend their lead and secure the victory.
 
   As a team Milligan was 25-of-65 (38%) from the floor and 9-of-23 (39%) from behind the arc. Tennessee Wesleyan was 29-54 (54%) from the floor and 6-of-18 (33%) from the 3-point line.
 
   With the loss, Milligan falls to 15-13 overall and 7-9 in AAC action.
 
   The Buffaloes return to action when they travel to AAC newcomer Columbia College on Wed. Feb. 15 for their final AAC road contest.  Game time is set for 6:30 p.m., in Columbia, S.C.