MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Jan. 27, 2018) â€" Though the Milligan College men's basketball team beat the Allen University Yellow Jackets on the road earlier this season (93-90), the Buffs were defeated in an Appalachian Athletic Conference game in the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse on Saturday evening (94-91). This snapped Milligan's two game AAC winning streak.
Allen, who is receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25, moved to 17-5 and 11-5 in the AAC while Milligan moved to 9-12 and 7-7 in the AAC.
Last time they met Daxton Bostian recorded a career high of 34 points going 10-for-17 for the field and 6-for-10 from 3-point territory.
AN EVEN FIRST HALF
The Buffs led by as much 12 points in the first 20 minutes of play. However, Allen refused to fall too far behind. The game was tied seven different times with the Yellow Jackets' largest lead of four points. With 1:03 to go, Allen put themselves on top with a couple of free throws and then increased the deficit to four points at the half with a bucket in the final six seconds (47-43).
Milligan shot 51% from the field (18/35) and 42.9% (6/14) from the 3-point line while Allen shot 45% (19/42) from the field and 43.8% (7/16) from 3-point territory.
CLOSE-KNIT RACE LEADS TO UPSETTING ENDING
The game went on to be tied seven more times while the Buffs led by as much as five and trailed by as much as eight. At 74 apiece with 8:08 remaining, Allen's bucket in the paint put the Yellow Jackets back in the lead and this time it was for good. The Yellow Jackets went on to lead by as much as eight points but Milligan did not go down without a fight.
The Buffs had five 3-point opportunities in the final seven minutes but could not connect for one until Bo Pless drained one from the deep corner with eight seconds remaining to put Milligan behind by just three points. Furthermore, with one second remaining Bostian was double-teamed at the arc as he attempted to make the game-winning shot but Allen remained on top sealing their AAC victory over the Buffs (94-91).
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Aaron Levarity still managed to earn his fourth straight and 15th total double-double in just 24:34 of playing time. Levarity accounted for 22 points and 16 rebounds while still leading NAIA DII in offensive rebounds per game. Five Buffs earned double-digit points. Bostian followed Levarity with 17 points and led with five assists while Casaday earned 14 points. Desean Green and Pless accounted for 10 points apiece.
For Allen, Kenneth Rolle led all scorers with 31 points while Brandon Moore followed with 28 points. Vernon Jackson earned 15 of the Yellow Jackets' 18 assists.
UP NEXT
The Buffs return to Steve Lacy Fieldhouse for their third straight home game on Tuesday, Jan. 30, to face Tennessee Wesleyan at 7:30 p.m. Milligan plays Saturday, Feb. 3, against Point University at 4 p.m.
