WISE, Va. (Dec. 30, 2017) â€" The Milligan College men's basketball team hit the road for their final exhibition game of the winter break against University of Virginia at Wise Saturday evening. The Buffs fell to the Cavs, 79-73.
 
THE CAVS EARLY RUN
Daxton Bostian put the Buffs on the scoreboard first with a jumper. However, the two-point lead was the first and only lead for Milligan. UVa-Wise drained a few 3-pointers alongside a handful of free throws to put them at a 10-point advantage just seven minutes into the first half. The Cavs went on to lead by as much 13 points.
 
THE RALLY
Despite the 11-point deficit at the half, the Buffs refused to settle. Bostian immediately drained a 3-pointer 1:12 into the second half. Though UVa-Wise led by at most 13 to follow, Milligan came within one, two and three points five different times. Trailing by one with 5:33 to go, free throws put the Cavs out front and it was only up from there. A couple of 3-pointers and layups proved not enough in the remaining four minutes of the game sealing the Cavs' victory over the Buffs.
 
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Four of the Buffs made it into the double-digit scoring column. Aaron Levarity led with 16 points and eight rebounds. Bostian and David Casaday followed with 15 points apiece. Will Buckner earned 10 points.
 
UVa at Wise had five earn double-digit points including two double-doubles. Taiwo Badmus led with 19 points and 10 rebounds while Michal Seals followed with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Milligan's bench outscored UVa-Wise (22-5) while the Buffs were outscored by the Cavs by just four points in the paint (36-32).
 
UP NEXT
The Buffs return home to Steve Lacy Fieldhouse for their first Appalachian Athletic Conference game in nine games to face Bryan College on Tuesday, Jan. 2, and then again on Saturday, Jan. 6, to face Montreat College. Tuesday's game time is set at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday's game time is set at 4 p.m.