KINGSPORT, Tenn. (Feb. 22, 2018) â€" Junior Aaron Levarity, an All-Conference first team select, led the Milligan College men's basketball team in the opening round of the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament Thursday evening, but Milligan suffered elimination from the tournament after falling to Truett-McConnell University 83-75.
 
Levarity recorded 25 points and 25 rebounds, his 22nd double-double of the season, tying the Milligan record for rebounds in a single game. Previously, Jeff Barnes recorded 25 rebounds versus Union College in 2007.
 
SLOW START
After the Bears put themselves on the scoreboard first, the Buffs took the lead in the first minute with a 3-pointer from David Casaday. However, Truett-McConnell immediately got out front and it was only up from there. The Bears went on to lead by as much as nine points and as little as three. Senior Will Robinson drove into the paint for a basket to send the Bears into the locker room with just a 3-point lead.
 
SECOND HALF FIGHT
Four minutes into the final 20 minutes of play, Milligan took the lead for the first time since the first minute of the game (41-38). For the next nine minutes, the game was tied seven different times with both teams trading back and forth the lead. After the Bears' Christian Davis hit a 3-pointer (5:46), Truett-McConnell took off taking the momentum. Milligan trailed the rest of the way by as much as 10 points and as little as six. Truett-McConnell was resilient securing their first victory over the Buffs with a handful of free throws and baskets (83-75).
 
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Casaday, an All-Conference second team select, followed Levarity with 17 points. Daxton Bostian, also an All-Conference second team member, added nine points and two assists. Robinson and Casaday led with three assists apiece. Robinson also tallied eight points.
 
For Truett-McConnell, Davis led with 23 points while Calvin White followed with a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds. David Campbell added 16 points.
 
UP NEXT
With the regular season and tournament play wrapped up for the Buffs, Milligan can still continue the season at the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship if Union College wins the AAC tournament.