DAYTON, Tenn. (Jan. 2, 2014) â€" Struggles for the Milligan men's basketball team continued Thursday night as the Buffaloes fell to Bryan, 90-81, in Appalachian Athletic Conference action.

Milligan lost its third straight regular season contest and fell to 8-5 (3-3 AAC). Bryan improved to 7-8 (3-2 AAC).

Kurt Brooks led Milligan with 19 points, ahead of three other Buffaloes in double figure scoring, but Bryan's Brandon Cole led all scorers with 32 points on 10-of-19 shooting. Cole also grabbed 20 rebounds and was one of two Lions with a double-double. Derrick Walker registered 16 points and 12 rebounds off the bench.

Milligan shot 36.4% (28-77) from the field in the loss and a dismal 25.8% (8-31) in the first half. Bryan, which shot 45.1% (23-51), built its lead early on, climbing to a 10-point advantage (15-5) through the first five minutes and a 17-point advantage (37-20) by the halftime break.

In the second half, Milligan was able to trim the lead down to six but again Bryan would quickly counter, going back ahead by as many as 24.

Milligan committed fewer turnovers (12 to Bryan's 21) and grabbed more offensive rebounds (13 to Bryan's 11) but the Lions were a force on the defensive rebounding end, gathering 44 defensive rebounds to the Buffaloes' 23.

Milligan will be back in action on Saturday for a home AAC matchup against Reinhardt (7-7, 4-1 AAC). Tip-off is set for 4 p.m., immediately following the women's game.