Buffs charge back but suffer defeat to Cavs
Halie Padgett scored a career high 20 points, including nine in the fourth quarter during a 17-4 game-finishing run, but the Milligan College women’s basketball team fell in heart-breaking fashion to Montreat College, 56-55, Wednesday night at Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.
MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Nov. 20, 2019) – Halie Padgett scored a career high 20 points, including nine in the fourth quarter during a 17-4 game-finishing run, but the Milligan College women's basketball team fell in heart-breaking fashion to Montreat College, 56-55, Wednesday night at Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.
Milligan scored seven of the last eight points in the final 50 seconds of play, but it was not enough.
Leaders
Padgett's 20 points came on 9-of-17 shooting. She added nine rebounds, an assist, two blocks and two steals. Kaely Gose followed next in the scoring column with nine points and five rebounds. Seven other Buffs entered the scorebook, including Hannah Wyrick with seven points and three assists. One of Wyrick's biggest baskets came in the closing seconds when she knocked down a 3-pointer from the top of the key to make it a one-point game.
Three players for Montreat made it to double figures, led by Zharia Brown with 14 points and eight rebounds.
Game flow
The game featured only one tie and Montreat otherwise leading the whole way, but it was nevertheless all about runs. Milligan trailed by eight in the first quarter before cutting it to three by the first break. Twice it was a 10-point game in the second quarter before Bailey Berry and Malarie Tallent hit back-to-back triples to cut it to four late in the first half.
The third quarter remained close until Montreat used a 7-1 run to go back out by 11 with less than 30 seconds left. Then in the final period, Montreat's Caleigh Raby hit a three to complete a 5-0 Cavalier run and make it a 13-point game before Milligan stormed back over the final six minutes.
Up next
Milligan plays at home again Saturday, Nov. 23, in another Appalachian Athletic Conference contest. The Buffs will host Brenau University at 4 p.m., shortly after Milligan's volleyball team hosts Martin Methodist at 1 p.m. in the NAIA Women's Volleyball National Championship Opening Round.