MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Jan. 24, 2018) â€" Despite the loss at Johnson University earlier this season, the Milligan College men's basketball team defeated the Royals by 20 points in a nonconference matchup Wednesday night, 100-80. The Buffs earned their fourth win in the last five games moving to 9-11 while Johnson is now 8-12.
 
A COMBATITIVE FIRST HALF
The Buffs trailed by one four minutes into the game but once the lead was stolen after a basket in the paint by Aaron Levarity, Milligan went on to lead by as much as 11 while the Royals fought to keep within just one or two points in the final five minutes of the first half. Milligan closed out the first 20 minutes of play on a 7-0 run putting the Buffs at a six point lead at the half (40-34).

BUFFS TAKE CHARGE
Milligan came out in the second half ready to attack. Johnson continued to trail by single-digits in the first four minutes. However, it was only a matter of time before Milligan got on their high horse outscoring the Royals 60-46. The Buffs led by as much as 24 points and as little as 14 in the final 10 minutes of the game securing their victory over the Royals.
 
STATISTICAL LEADERS
All 12 Buffs that earned minutes made it into the scoring column. Levarity, who leads NAIA DII in offensive rebounds per game (5.105), led all scorers with 28 points while also compiling a total of 17 rebounds which marked his third straight and 14th double-double of the season. David Casaday followed Levarity with 13 points while Desean Green earned 11 and Tyler Faulkenberry earned 10. Daxton Bostian compiled a total of eight assists and Green accounted for five steals.

For Johnson, Coby Jones led with 24 points while Taylor Gilpin followed with 19 points and Kenny White earned 13. White led with six assists and Kenton Guillon led with eight rebounds.

UP NEXT
The Buffs will return to Steve Lacy Fieldhouse on Saturday, Jan. 27, to get back into AAC against Allen University. The game is set to start at 4 p.m. and then Milligan has a quick turnaround for another AAC showdown against Tennessee Wesleyan University on Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 7:30 p.m.