CLEVELAND, Tenn. (Nov. 24, 2014) -- With Milligan College entering Monday's game at 8-0 and Lee University entering it at 4-0, everyone knew someone would be going home that night with their first loss, and while the Buffaloes played with a true team effort, it proved not to be enough as Lee won 88-80.

The loss, Milligan's first regular season defeat since losing a road contest to Reinhardt University toward the end of last season, dropped the Buffs to 8-1 (3-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference). It ended their longest undefeated streak to start a season since the 2007-2008 team started 6-0.

Despite trailing the whole way, Milligan never looked shaken but rather came up with several big plays in the second half that made for an exciting finish. First, there was James Songster who made a 3-pointer to open the final 20 minutes before scoring a fast break basket with his left hand on a great feed from Mickey Woods. Morgan McLeod had Milligan's next two baskets, knocking down a 3-pointer from the left wing in front of the Milligan bench, then making a midrange 2-pointer with a hand in his face a few minutes later.

With under eight minutes left and Milligan trailing by the halftime deficit of five (62-57), Will Robinson made his third 3-pointer of the night from the same spot as McLeod, cutting it to a one possession game. It was Robinson's sixth made basket of the night, giving him a career high 15 points, all without a miss.

After the Flames got three points on their end, Mike Woods Jr. gave the Buffs three on theirs, making a big 3-pointer from the far corner that made it 65-63. Woods Jr. scored an 18-footer two possessions later that cut it to 67-65 with 5:51 left.

Shortly thereafter, Mickey Woods made one of the last big plays for Milligan with a tough basket in the lane that trickled in from off the front of the rim to make it 69-68, the closest Milligan had been to a lead since the opening tip, but Lee went on to score the next nine points and managed to convert from the free throw line down the stretch.

Mickey Woods led Milligan with 19 points, six assists and three steals. Four other Buffaloes made it to double figures, including Robinson, Julian Bailey (12), McLeod (11) and Gabriel Logan (10). Woods, Jr. finished with seven points and three assists.

Milligan spotted the Flames an 8-0 lead to start the game as it took just over four minutes for the Buffs to find their first basket. Bailey had it on a soft jump hook in the paint, and the game was even from that point forward. Lee extended the lead back up to as many as nine in the first half on the way to the eight-point win.

Milligan will remain on the road for their next game, facing off against No. 16 Union College on Monday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. The Buffaloes will then return home for their final two AAC matchups of the year against Truett-McConnell College on Wednesday, Dec. 3 and Bryan College on Saturday, Dec. 6.