MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Nov. 30, 2016) â€" Milligan College's men's basketball team hosted Appalachian Athletic Conference rival Reinhardt University on Wednesday night. The Buffaloes' first half struggles continued and resulted in the team's third straight loss by a score of 89-66.
 
Milligan (4-6, 2-2 AAC) raced out to a 7-1 lead to open the game. A three pointer from David Casaday and a pair of two pointers from Will Buckner and Daxton Bostian got the offense going early and created early separation. However, the Eagles responded with a 13-0 run and quickly erased the Buffaloes' only lead of the game.
 
Reinhardt, through a series of runs, built on its lead and secured a 50-31 lead at the half.
 
At the 17:22 mark in the second half, the Eagles created its largest lead of the game and led by 22. Behind several field goals from Bostian and a three pointer from Tyler Faulkenberry, the Buffaloes brought the deficit down to 12 and trailed 58-46.
 
A series of physical plays from Mike Featherston that created three point play opportunities kept the Buffaloes in striking distance, but the Eagles pulled away down the stretch.
 
Sophomore Ike Ndulue gave the Buffaloes some much needed physicality off the bench. The Nigeria-native led all players with 12 rebounds, including seven on the offensive side.
 
"Ike does such a great job being active on the glass," Head Coach Bill Robinson said of Ndulue. "If he can finish and do some little things around the rim, he'll definitely increase his time."
 
Two Buffaloes reached double figures in the point column. Casaday and Featherston finished with 14 and 12 points respectively.
 
"Mike is super competitive and hates to lose," Robinson said of Featherston. "We need his energy, his length, and his defensive ability especially. He's been playing really well and his minutes will continue to go up."
 
The Buffaloes continue conference play on Saturday against Montreat College and return home for their last home game of the 2016 calendar year next Thursday against Bluefield College. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.