MILLIGAN, Tenn. — On Wednesday evening, the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) slate got under way for the Milligan University women's basketball team, as they played host to the Brenau University Golden Tigers. After the visitors got off to a torrid start, the Buffaloes worked their way back and eventually notched a 82-68 win to open the conference season.
The first quarter brought some concern for the Buffaloes. The upstart Brenau squad, who came in at 3-0 for the season, started with a masterful shooting display. They hit on six of their first eight attempts from beyond the arc and 8-of-14 overall, resulting in 26 points. Milligan, meanwhile, didn't shoot poorly either, making 8-of-16 from the field. However, they only made three shots from long range, as they trailed 26-20 after one.
It was a completely different story in the second frame, though, as Brenau limped to a 4-of-19 shooting clip and scored only 12 points. The Buffaloes did not have a stellar period either, making five shots on 13 attempts, but they added nine points on a perfect 9-of-9 at the free-throw line to lead the period 19-12. With that advantage, MU took their first lead of the contest at 36-35 with 42 seconds left on the half. They ended up with a 39-38 edge at the break.
In the third frame, Milligan made their biggest push, outclassing the Golden Tigers' first-quarter percentages. The Buffaloes made 11-of-18 overall in the period, including an unreal 6-of-8 three-point clip. They scored 29 points to race out to a 68-51 lead with 10 minutes left. Brenau was only able to make a pair of field goals in the third, but added eight free throws for 13 total points.
After their third-quarter outburst, the Buffs coasted to the end, going 5-of-13 in the final frame. Brenau hit seven field goals and actually led the fourth quarter 17-14, it it was not close to enough, as the Buffaloes took the 82-68 triumph for a win in their first conference game of the campaign.
Jenna Hare had a career night, scoring a total of 26 points on an impressive 8-of-14 shooting clip. She also made five threes on seven tries, which was the most three-point field goals that she has made in a single game during her career.
Makenzie Bremer also had an efficient offensive night, scoring a career-high 20 points with a strong 7-of-12 conversion rate. Milligan didn't have another player in double-figures, but
Dachelle Lucas (9),
Lina Lyon (8),
Elivia Moore (7),
Callie Reeder (5),
Caroline Krueger (4) and
Zoe Rector (3) rounded out the scoring.
Milligan racked up 18 assists as a team, with Lyon leading the way with five. Hare supplied four of them, followed by four players, who had two apiece. Bremer, Krueger, Lucas and
Kabria Revels were responsible for those assists. The final of the 18 dimes was dished out by Reeder.
The Lady Buffs claimed a 38-32 rebounding advantage, led by Hare, who completed a double-double by hauling in 12 backboards. Bremer and Moore each snatched four rebounds, followed by Lucas, who had three. Reeder,
Ellie Linx and
Savannah Jenkins brought down a pair each. Lyon, Krueger, Rector and
Bailey McCoy rounded out the final four boards.
A dozen steals were racked up by the Buffaloes, as Bremer and Lucas set the pace with three each. Lyon and Moore both had a pair, while Hare and Revels also had a theft. Milligan's two blocks in the contest were recorded by Bremer and Moore.
After the win, Milligan (4-1, 1-0 AAC) will now have exactly one week off until their next AAC contest at Bluefield University in Bluefield, Va. on Nov. 18 at 5:30 p.m.Â
Â
