GAINESVILLE, Ga. — The Milligan University women's basketball program rung in the new year with an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) tilt in the Peach State, heading down to Brenau University in Gainesville, Ga. The team earned a much-needed win, with their offense getting back on track, trouncing the Golden Tigers by a score of 93-57.

Quarter number one included a strong 8-of-9 performance from the free-throw line for the Buffaloes, which helped them build a five point lead over the course of the frame. Brenau shot only 5-of-16 from the field and allowed MU to convert on 6-of-13. Neither side shot the ball well from distance, as the teams combined to go 1-of-9 from beyond the arc, with the Golden Tigers claiming the single connection. A 12-9 advantage on the boards was racked up by BU, but Milligan's defensive effort kept that from being a major issue. It was 20-15 entering the second period for the Lady Buffs.

Milligan started fast in the second, scoring the first four points on a pair of Makenzie Bremer lay-ins. Both squads scored efficiently over the first four minutes of the quarter, combining to hit 7-of-11 shots from the field. The Buffaloes sizzled in the period, overall, scoring on 8-of-14 field goal tries. Brenau also continued to convert well, knocking down 6-of-12 shots in the quarter for 16 points. A 17-16 score edge for the Buffaloes in the frame equaled a 37-31 advantage for Milligan at the intermission.

The Buffs exorcised their third-quarter woes by scoring 25 points in the penultimate period. They were on fire from the field, burying 10 of their 15 attempts, leaning heavily upon their inside game, with nine of their makes coming from inside the arc. The Golden Tigers fizzled badly in the frame, making only three shots on 17 tries. With the outburst, the Lady Buffs lead extended to 19 points at 62-43.

It was elementary from there for MU, as they rolled to a 30+ point win against Brenau for the second time this season. The Buffs continued to score at will, shooting a perfect 8-of-8 from the floor and 14-of-15 from the charity stripe. Meanwhile, the Golden Tigers scored just 14 points on 5-of-16 shooting. Milligan pulled away for a 93-57 win.

Semaj Clark's 24 points led the team, as she shot a strong 9-of-15 from the field and 5-of-6 on free throws. Bremer was also in double figures, scoring 16 points on a 7-of-10 showing. Naomi Atchley (11) and Lexi Ervin (10) also had 10 or more points scored with shooting lines better than 50%.

A team-high seven assists were tallied by Lina Lyon, as she turned the ball over just one time. Caroline Krueger and Bremer passed out three each, with Kenzie Campbell and Cora Browning dishing out a pair apiece. Clark, McKenna Myers, Nina Lovelace, Ervin and Atchley all provided one.

Clark notched another double-double by hauling in 13 rebounds, all coming on the defensive end of the floor. Callie Reeder brought in five, Krueger had four, and both Myers and Ervin snatched three. Lyon, Lovelace and Browning all snatched two, and Bremer achieved the other backboard.

Just a pair of steals and a block were tallied by Milligan, with Clark accumulating one of each. The remaining steal came via Myers. 

The Lady Buffs' (9-6, 8-0 AAC) return from the winter break was a site for sore eyes, as the team regained their offensive momentum with the remainder of their AAC slate on tap. Next up is a road trip to Barbourville, Ky. on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 5:30 p.m., as they face the Bulldogs of Union Commonwealth.