WALESKA, Ga. (Nov. 20, 2018) â€" Despite 25 points and nine rebounds from Aaron Levarity, the Milligan College men's basketball team (5-3, 2-2 AAC) dropped their second straight Appalachian Athletic Conference game to Reinhardt (5-3, 3-2 AAC) 82-74 Tuesday night.
 
It was a slow start for the Buffaloes, who trailed the entire game, as Reinhardt ambushed them from the opening tip building as large of a lead as 21 points in the first 10 minutes of the contest. Milligan responded with a 28-9 run that featured an 11-2 stretch at the tail end to cut the Eagles lead to two points (40-38) at the half. Tyler Nichols played a vital role for the Buffs during their late surge scoring 14 points before the break.
 
The Eagles used a 5-0 run in a 37 second span early in the second half to once again create some separation from Milligan. The Buffs would narrow the lead to four with 13:57 remaining on a 3-pointer by Levarity, but Reinhardt was able to build their lead back up to double figures once again. Milligan trimmed the lead to four points one final time at the 1:20 mark but failed to score again as the Eagles registered the next four points to make the final tally 82-74.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
Levarity finished the night 8-of-9 from the field and a perfect 8-of-8 from the foul line. Nichols was the second leading scorer for the Buffs as the junior finished with 18 points, four rebounds and four assists. Jacob Cawood was the only other Buff in double figures as he added 14 points and five rebounds.
 
The pressure of the Reinhardt defense was one of the biggest differences in the game as they caused problems for Milligan all night long as the Buffs turned over the ball 30 times.
 
Overall, the Buffs shot 46.9 percent from the field but continued their season long struggle from deep as they were only able to muster up three makes on 13 attempts. The Eagles finished with a 44.6 field goal percentage and notched nine 3-pointers on 24 attempts for a 37.5 percent clip.
 
Reinhardt's leading scorer Samuel Bunkley scorched the nets for 20 points to lead four Eagles in double figures.
 
UP NEXT
Milligan returns to action Wednesday, Nov. 28, for an AAC matchup against Truett McConnell inside Steve Lacy Fieldhouse beginning directly after the women's game at approximately 7:30 p.m.

ðŸ"·: Robert Kell, Creative Story Visuals