Laurinburg, N.C. (Jan. 3, 2013) --- The Milligan College men's basketball pulled away late in the first half and never looked back as they took an 82-60 victory over St. Andrews University in Appalachian Athletic Conference action on Thursday night in Laurinburg, N.C.

The teams traded baskets to open the game as Milligan scored on a 3-pointer from Mickey Woods (Port Arthur, Tex.) and a jumper from Torian Sitton (Hendersonville, N.C.), but they trailed 6-5 four minutes into the game. Tyler DeVault (Kingsport, Tenn.) scored on a tip-in and Woods connected on his second 3-pointer of the game to put the Buffaloes in front, and Milligan maintained a 22-17 lead midway through the first half.

After the Knights pulled within one point, Milligan went on an 8-0 run sparked by a Cory Hendren (Lexington, S.C.) 3-pointer to take the game's first double-digit lead, but St. Andrews quickly closed the gap back to six points. However, the Buffaloes ended the half on a 11-3 run to take a 44-32 lead at the half.

In the second half, Cartree Pettis (Oviedo, Fla.) kicked off the scoring with a basket, and DeVault and Sitton added points to help Milligan start the half on a 6-2 run to increase their lead to 18 points four minutes into the period. Scott Blake (Greeneville, Tenn.) drained a 3-pointer and jumpers from DeVault and Pettis gave Milligan a 67-41 lead midway through the half.

The Milligan defense held the Knights to just nine points over the next seven minutes to preserve the lead and take the victory.

Woods recorded a game high 18 points and six assists. DeVault finished the game with 17 points, while Sitton tallied 14 points. Blake ended the game with 10 points.

As a team, the Buffaloes finished the game 33-of-58 (57%) from the floor and 7-of-15 (47%) from the 3-point line. St. Andrews ended the game 22-of-56 (39%) from the field and 6-of-19 (32%) from behind the arc.

With the win, Milligan improves to 2-1 in conference action and 9-6 overall, while St. Andrews falls to 0-3 in AAC action and 0-11 overall.

The Buffaloes return to action on Saturday, Jan. 5, as they host Reinhardt University in a conference tilt. Game time inside Steve Lacy Fieldhouse is set for 4 p.m.