MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Jan. 20, 2018) â€" After a heart-rending 2-point overtime loss earlier this season, the Milligan College men's basketball team sought vengeance against Reinhardt University in an Appalachian Athletic Conference face-off Saturday afternoon. The Buffs defeated the Eagles (82-71) moving Milligan to 7-6 in the AAC and Reinhardt to 7-5 in the AAC.

FIRST HALF GRIT

Milligan fell behind the Eagles in the first 10 minutes of the game (25-9) until junior Aaron Levarity ignited a 15-0 run to put the Buffs back into the game with 5:55 to go in the first half (25-24). Senior David Casaday went on to drain a 3-pointer at the 3:40 mark to put Milligan back in the lead. Toe-to-toe both teams battled hard while Daxton Bostian's two free throws forced a tie game at the half, 39-39.

BUFFS CONTROL SECOND HALF

Casaday's 3-pointer in the first two minutes of the second half prompted a strong lead for the Buffs on Reinhardt. Though Milligan was resilient and did not give up the lead the rest of the game, the Eagles trailed by as little as two and three points while the Buffs led by as much as 12.

Milligan outscored Reinhardt 43-32 in the final 20 minutes of play while shooting 100% at the free-throw line. Overall the Buffs outrebounded the Eagles 48-37.

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Bostian led all scorers with 20 points while Levarity followed with his second straight and 13th double-double of the season, 16 points and 17 rebounds. Casaday added 15 points while Green followed with nine points and 10 rebounds. Bostian and Green accounted for three assists apiece.

Four Eagles made it into the double-digit scoring column led by Corey Tobin with 17 points and Dwight Sanders with 14 points. Melvin Irwin led with nine rebounds and added 13 points.

UP NEXT

The Buffs continue their six home game streak on Wednesday, Jan. 24, as they face Johnson University at 7:30 p.m. Milligan will go on to play AAC foe Allen University on Saturday, Jan. 27, at 4 p.m. in Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.