Fourth quarter scoring drought costs Women’s Basketball against Point

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (January 19, 2023) – A scoring drought in the fourth quarter cost the Milligan University women's basketball team as the Buffs fell to Point 72-59 on Thursday evening in the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.

The defeat snapped Milligan's 20-game home win streak against Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) competition. The Buffs fell to 14-5 on the year and 12-3 in AAC play. Point moves to 13-6, 11-4 AAC.

After trailing by four at the half and for the duration of the third quarter, the Buffs tied the game at 53 early in the fourth quarter after a pair of free throws by Kristy Galea and layup in transition by Lauren Longmire. A three-pointer by Kayla Romines gave the Buffs a 56-55 lead with 8:07 to play in the fourth.

The Buffs would not score for the next seven-plus minutes as Point tallied the next 14 points to lead 69-56 in the final minute. Romines broke the dry spell with a three-pointer in the final minute but the Skyhawks held on for the 13-point win.

The first quarter saw Point leading by five (14-9) through five minutes of action. The Buffs worked back to tie the game at 15 before the Skyhawks put in the final basket of the quarter to lead 17-15 through one quarter.

The first half of the second quarter saw the score tied at 17, 19, 21 and 23 before Point opened up a six-point edge (29-23) with four minutes left in the half. Galea made three three-pointers in the remaining moments of the quarter as the Buffs narrowed the margin to two (31-29) before the Skyhawks carried a 37-33 lead into halftime.

The Skyhawks' lead grew to nine points several times through the third quarter. Point scored the first five points of the frame to lead 42-33, led midway through the quarter 44-35 and 48-39 with three minutes to go. Late in the quarter Longmire made a spinning layup and then a left-corner three to trim the margin to 51-47. Madi Runnels added a last-second basket to send the game to the fourth quarter with Point ahead by four (53-49).

Galea led the Buffs with a career high 17 points, four rebounds and four assists. Longmire had 16 points and five rebounds.

The Buffs return to action at Union next Wednesday.