MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Jan. 15, 2014) â€" Backed by 49 second-half points, the Milligan College women's basketball team defeated Montreat, 83-66, in AAC action Wednesday night.
 
Milligan improved to 11-7 (7-3 AAC) and now stands a game out of first place in league standings. Montreat dropped to 9-9 (4-6 AAC).
 
Coming off a week's rest due to Saturday's postponement, the Buffs shook off some rust in the first half before going to work with one of the most dominating halves of basketball in the second. Hayley Wyrick scored 13 points after the break, six of which came during a 15-6 run where Milligan put the game away.
 
The run, which was part of a larger (30-14) run, began at the 13:21 mark, shortly after the Lady Cavaliers gained their largest lead of the game (five).
 
Milligan shot 46.7% (14-30) in the second half compared to Montreat's 37.5% (12-32). The Buffs also outrebounded (23-14) and outscored (49-29) the Lady Cavaliers in the second half.
 
Wyrick was one of five Buffaloes to reach double figures on the night and finished with 17 points off the bench. Kayla Kelly scored 21 to lead the Buffaloes while also contributing six rebounds and four steals.
 
Two other Buffs registered four steals, including Allison Jones and Robyn Anthony. Jones scored 14 points and grabbed five rebounds.
 
Milligan came up with 15 steals as a team and forced Montreat into 26 turnovers.
 
For Montreat, Alexandria Gellman registered a double-double of 28 points and 10 rebounds while adding five assists and a steal. Hellman scored 16 points in the first half.
 
Milligan will travel to Point University (10-9, 4-6 AAC) on Saturday for a 3 p.m. matchup with the Skyhawks. The men's game will follow at 5 p.m. The Buffs will return home next Wednesday, Jan. 22 for a meeting with St. Andrews.