ATHENS, Tenn. (Nov. 30, 2017) â€" After hitting a century mark in Tuesday's Appalachian Athletic Conference contest against Columbia College, the Milligan College women's basketball team traveled to Tennessee Wesleyan Thursday evening. The Buffs (6-5 overall, 3-3 AAC) were defeated by the Bulldogs (6-3 overall, 5-1 AAC), 81-75.
 

THE BATTLE

Though the Bulldogs capped off a 14-point lead at the half with a 3-pointer, the Buffs came back out in the second half ready to battle. Immediately in the first minute sophomore Emily Kiser drained a 3-pointer from the wing. With a handful of 3-pointers, field goals and free throws Milligan fought to minimize the 11-point deficit. Freshman Emma Kate Brown closed the gap putting the Buffs in the lead (45-46) with a 3-pointer.

THE FINAL THREE MINUTES

With a toe-to-toe race, Tennessee Wesleyan and Milligan took turns leading by two or three points. However, the Buffs led 54-52 at the start of the fourth quarter. The game tied five different times in the final eight minutes of the game. After 72 apiece (2:14), the Bulldogs' Alyson Crowder put Wesleyan in the lead for good and it was only up from there.

At 80-72 with six seconds remaining, Kiser drained her second 3-pointer of the night putting Milligan with 75 points for the night. Wesleyan's Hunter Simpson made a free throw in the remaining two seconds to secure their fifth AAC win against the Buffs (81-75).

STATISTICAL LEADERS

The Buffs were led by Mackenzie Raizor with 15 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Following was senior Morgan Gose with 14 points and Brown with five rebounds. Brown and junior Sarah Robinson had seven points apiece while Kiser, junior Cassidy Anderson and sophomore Kaely Gose added six points apiece. Robinson led with three assists.

Wesleyan had three people in double digits. Simpson had 34 points, Madison Walkup earned 16 and Crowder had 12. Simpson led with six assists.

UP NEXT

With Milligan only having road games left this semester, the Buffs will travel to AAC foe Allen University on Saturday, Dec. 2. Game time is set at 2 p.m. The Buffs will return home to face Bryan College on Tuesday, Jan. 2, in Steve Lacy Fieldhouse at 5:30 p.m.?