MONTREAT, N.C. (Nov. 16, 2016) - Milligan College's men's basketball team traveled to Montreat College for a road Appalachian Athletic Conference contest. After struggling in the first half, the Buffaloes battled back to eventually tie the game late in the fourth. However, a few free throws in the final seconds clinched the game for the Cavaliers, 84-81.
 
For the second game in a row, Milligan (4-7, 2-3 AAC) surrendered 50 points in the first half and trailed at the half. The two AAC rivals exchanged scoring in the early minutes of the game. At the 13:52 mark, the Buffaloes only trailed by four, 16-12.
 
The Cavaliers then went on a 12-0 run over the next three minutes and seized control of the first half. A three pointer on their final possession gave the Cavaliers a 16 point halftime lead.
 
Montreat continued its momentum into the second half and led by as many as 24. At the 8:12 mark, the Buffaloes still trailed by 17, but a group of freshmen started a furious comeback.
 
In the ensuing seven minutes, Milligan went on a 24-7 run to tie the game at 81. During the run, freshman Bo Pless scored back to back threes to cut the deficit from 11 to five. Fellow freshman Mike Featherston scored a valuable shot and assisted on one of Pless's threes. Freshman point guard Daxton Bostian had two assists and a steal during the comeback. Coming off the bench, Tyler Faulkenberry scored seven points during the run, including a three and four free throws.
 
At the 1:04 mark, junior David Casaday hit a jumper to tie the game at 81, the first time the game was tied since the 19:20 mark in the first half. However, some clutch free throws from the Cavaliers and a costly turnover helped seal the game for Montreat.
 
Five Buffaloes reached double figures scoring, led by 15 points from Bo Pless. Casaday, Jacob Cawood, Tyler Nichols and Faulkenberry scored 13, 11, 11, and 10 respectively. Cawood led the Buffs with seven rebounds.
 
The Buffaloes return to action in their last home game of the 2016 calendar year next Thursday against AAC foe Bluefield College. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.