PIKEVILLE, Ky. (Nov. 3, 2017) - Junior Sarah Robinson scored 24 points and added seven rebounds and six steals, and the No. 24 Milligan College women's basketball team used an 11-1 finishing run to defeat University of the Cumberlands 78-69 in overtime in the 2017-18 season opener Friday night.
 
Robinson, last year's Appalachian Athletic Conference Player of the Year and the 2016 AAC Freshman of the year, scored Milligan's last five points to help the Buffs erase a five-point overtime deficit. Nine other Buffs entered the scoring column, including Cassidy Anderson (nine) who had a big 3-pointer in the closing minutes of overtime and sophomore Emily Kiser (seven).
 
Rebecca Maxwell (six) also made a clutch 3-pointer in overtime and followed with a couple of made free throws as part of a larger 18-4 finishing run for Milligan.
 
Milligan jumped out to a fast start, leading by six through the first three and a half minutes before leading 21-13 at the end of the first quarter.
 
Cumberlands battled back to within two at the halftime break then took the lead with just over three minutes left in the third quarter after a basket by Megan Morton. The Patriots went up by as many as six at the 9:48 mark in the fourth quarter to set up Milligan's comeback.
 
Mackenzie Raizor led the Buffs rebounding effort with eight rebounds while adding six points. Anderson added four assists and three steals.
 
For Cumberlands, Cheyenne Madden led all scorers with 26 points off the bench. Only one other Patriot made it to double figures as Kayla Bruner scored 14 points, also off the bench.
 
Next up, Milligan plays another game at Pikeville, facing the host Tigers Saturday at 2 p.m. The first home game for Milligan is set for Saturday, Nov. 11, at 2 p.m. versus Asbury University.