MILLIGAN, Tenn. - The Milligan University men's basketball program returned home on Saturday evening for a non-conference matchup with the Bruins of Carolina University (N.C.). Milligan started the game by opening a 17-point lead going into halftime, and despite eventually giving up that lead in full, the Buffs were able to surge late for a 75-72 victory over the Bruins.
In the first half, the Buffs started the game with seven straight points behind layups from Zivko Damjanovic and Te'Jon McDaniel-McCormick, as well as a three pointer from Jake Benham. The Bruins responded by scoring eight of the next nine points to gain a 10-8 lead. From there, the Buffs offense began going to work, scoring 20 points over the next eight minutes of gameplay to take a 28-15 lead with just over six minutes remaining in the half. Milligan then went on to close out the half on a 10-3 scoring run to take a commanding 40-23 lead into the break. Milligan converted on 15-of-31 (48.4%) attempts from the field and five of their 15 three-point attempts, while Carolina scored on eight of their 27 attempts in the period.
The second half started with Buffs quickly expanding their lead to 22 points after McDaniel-McCormick nailed a jumper. However, the Buffs defense began to feel the pressure of the Bruins' offense that woke up in the second half. Carlina went on a 19-7 scoring run that brought them within 10 points (55-45) with 10 minutes to play. Four minutes later, the Bruins recaptured the lead 58-57. Down the stretch, both sides traded baskets from beyond the arc, until Grant Hensley scored a reverse layup to give the Buffs a 72-70 lead with under a minute left. Then, MU was able to win the free throw battle to pick up the win 75-72.
Elijah Bredwood led the Milligan offense with 23 points on 8-of-18 shooting and he made 3-of-9 shots from distance. Two other Buffs reached double-digit scoring in Liviu Anton (15) and McDaniel-McCormick (12). Overall, Milligan's offense was efficient, finishing 27-of-59 (45.8%) from the field and 7-of-25 (28%) from three.
Milligan passed out 15 assists in the triumph, led by Elijah Bredwood and Grant Hensley who each dished out four. McDaniel-McCormick handed out three, while Zivko Damjanovic contributed two and both Liviu Anton and Jake Benham finished with a dime, respectively.
The Buffs amassed a total of 33 rebounds, led by McDaniel-McCormick, who completed his double-double on the glass with 10. Damjanovic battled in the paint throughout the game and reeled in seven boards, while Anton and Benham collected four apiece. Bo Koebbe continues to play strong and grabbed three boards. Bredwood and Hensley collected two rebounds and Stefan Janevski hauled in the remaining backboard.
The squad had seven steals and a block in the tilt, with McDaniel-McCormick leading the charge with three thefts. Anton added two, while Benham and Koebbe had a steal apiece. Damjanovic had the lone rejection.
Milligan (4-11, 2-5 AAC) will return to AAC action in their next bout on the road in Barbourville, Ky., where they will face a competitive Union Commonwealth team. The matchup is set to take place on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 7:30 p.m.
