Waleska, Ga. (Jan. 31, 2013) --- The Milligan College men's basketball team erased a double-digit deficit in the closing minutes but came up short as they fell 92-91 to Reinhardt University on Thursday evening in Appalachian Athletic Conference action in Waleska, Ga.

The Buffaloes received early points from Torian Sitton (Hendersonville, N.C.) and Cartree Pettis (Oviedo, Fla.), but the Eagles ran out to a 12-4 lead four minutes into the game. Reinhardt used the early advantage to slowly pull away as they led by as many as 17 points in the first 15 minutes of the game.

However, Milligan trimmed the lead to 36-27 with just over five minutes left in the first half with back-to-back 3-pointers from Scott Blake (Greeneville, Tenn.). After the Eagles increased their lead back to double-digits, the Buffaloes cut the gap to 44-35 at the half with three free throws from Mickey Woods (Port Arthur, Tex.).

Sitton and Woods led the way with eight points apiece in the half. The Buffaloes were 11-of-20 (38%) from the field and 3-of-7 (43%) from behind the arc. Reinhardt ended the half 17-of-42 (41%) from the floor and 3-of-11 (27%) from behind the 3-point line.

Tyler DeVault (Kingsport, Tenn.) and Sitton opened the second half scoring for Milligan, but the Eagles held a 52-43 advantage five minutes into the half. After Reinhardt led by 15 points over the next five minutes, a Cory Hendren (Lexington, S.C.) 3-pointer cut the gap to 70-63 at the midpoint of the half. However, the Eagles used a 9-0 run to extend their lead with just over eight minutes left in the half.

Sitton scored four straight points to spark an 8-0 run for the Buffaloes, and another Blake 3-pointer pulled the Buffaloes within 84-79 with five minutes left in the game. Kurt Brooks (Newport, Tenn.) drained a 3-pointer with 4:34 on the clock to pull Milligan within two points.

The Buffaloes cut the gap to one point three times in the closing minutes, including a Sitton layup with 1:35 left on the clock. The Milligan defense held Reinhardt scoreless on their final possession of the game as the Buffaloes took over with 27 seconds left in the game. However, the Buffaloes were unable to convert a last second possession to win the game.

Sitton led the way with 24 points and 14 rebounds, while Pettis and Blake recorded 16 points apiece. Woods finished the game with 14 points.

As a team, the Buffaloes were 32-of-67 (48%) from the field and 7-of-16 (44%) from the 3-point line. Reinhardt was 37-of-84 (44%) from the floor and 6-of-20 (30%) from behind the arc.

With the loss, Milligan falls to 17-8 overall and 9-3 in AAC action, while Reinhardt improves to 9-12 overall and 6-6 in conference play.

The Buffaloes return to action on Saturday, Feb. 2, as they travel to AAC foe Bryan College. Game time in Dayton, Tenn., is set for 4 p.m.