Barbourville, Ky. (Feb. 23, 2012) --- The Milligan College women's basketball team came up short in their quest for an appearance in the AAC title game as they fell 76-68 to second seeded Union (Ky.) on Friday night in the semifinal round of the AAC tournament in Barbourville, Ky.
 
   Johneshia Good (Johnson City, Tenn.) opened the scoring for the Buffaloes as the teams traded shots before the Lady Bulldogs took an 11-7 lead five minutes into the game. Milligan cut the gap back to one point multiple times over the next ten minutes, but Union used an 11-1 lead to take a 36-25 lead with five minutes left in the half. A Kayla Kelly (Chattanooga, Tenn.) layup in the half's final minute cut the Union lead to 39-30 at the half.
 
   Kelly led Milligan in the first half with 11 points. As a team, the Buffaloes were 12-of-34 (35%) from the field and 2-of-6 (34%) from the 3-point line. Union ended the half 14-of-34 (41%) from the floor and 3-of-12 (25%) from behind the arc.
 
   Senior Alisha Mainer (Flag Pond, Tenn.) and Kelly scored back-to-back baskets to open the second half to pull the Buffaloes within five points. However, Union responded with a run of their own to regain a 10-point lead five minutes into the half. Mainer drained a 3-pointer to stop the Lady Bulldogs' run as the Buffaloes pulled back within striking distance.
 
   Ashlee Price (Rogersville, Tenn.) sparked an 8-0 run with just under 10 minutes to play with a layup and 3-point basket as the Buffaloes trailed 60-57 with 7:03 left. Milligan continued to try and cut into the gap, but trailed by six points with two minutes left in the game.
 
   In the final two minutes, Good hit a 3-pointer and Price hit a jumper as Milligan closed the gap to 69-68 with 49 seconds left. However, the Buffaloes were unable to get back in front as Union secured the game at the free throw line.
 
   Kelly led the way with 18 points, and Jaimee Hill (Johnson City, Tenn.) had 14 points. Good and Price ended the game with 13 points apiece. Union was led by Lindsey Waters, who recorded 38 points and 20 rebounds.
 
   As a team, Milligan ended the game 25-of-67 (37%) from the floor and 8-of-15 (53%) from behind the arc. Union finished the night 24-of-57 (42%) from the field and 8-of-22 (36%) from behind the 3-point line. The Buffaloes were 10-of-20 (50%) from the free throw line, while the Lady Bulldogs were 20-of-23 (87%) from the line.
 
   The Buffaloes end the season with an 18-14 overall record and they were 9-9 in AAC action. Milligan will lose three seniors to graduation in Kelly Hudler (West Jefferson, N.C.), Mainer and Price.