Buffs pull off redemption win over Montreat 

BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (Jan. 28, 2020) – After losing by three in overtime earlier this season the Milligan College men's basketball team defeated their Appalachian Athletic Conference rivals Montreat College in dominating fashion, 91-79 Tuesday night in McAlister Gymnasium. 

With Tuesday's win, Milligan (14-7, 12-5 AAC) is now tied in second place in the AAC standings with Montreat and are half a game back out of first place. 

Buffs big first half run 

Both teams were back and forth for the first five minutes of play before a 3-pointer by Jacob Cawood would send Milligan on a 16-0 run. Cawood's three put the Buffs down by one before Trevor Hensley scored a triple a little over a minute later to put Milligan up 11-9. Hensley would go on to score another three just 30 seconds later with Nathan Hastings scoring a 3-pointer of his own behind him. Tyler Nichols would close the run out with a 3-pointer as well with less than 10 minutes left in the first half. 

During Milligan's run the Buffs were 6-for-10 in field goals and 5-for-9 in 3-pointers. Montreat would work their way back from a 15-point deficit to only be down by six going into the half with the score being 40-34. 

Second half surge

In the second half Montreat tied the game up 50-50 with a little over 14 minutes left in the half. Montreat and Milligan stayed close for the next several minutes before Hensley was sent to the free throw line and tied the game up 55-55 with his first shot and put the Buffs in the lead with his second shot. Milligan would stay in the lead for the rest of the game, increasing their lead by as many as 16. 

Hensley's lead securing free throws started a 10-0 run to put the Buffs ahead 64-55. Milligan took advantage of shooting fouls in the second half, going 15-for-21 from the line. The Buffs also shot 15-for-24 in field goals with 6-for-12 in 3-pointers. 

Leader board

Five Buffs entered double-digit scoring tonight with Nichols leading the way at 23 points on 8-for-13 shooting adding on four rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal. Cawood was behind him with 17 off 5-for-12 shooting and three triples. Hensley had 15 with 4-for-6 field goals and 3-for-5 3-pointers. Next was Bo Pless with 13 and Mike Featherston finished it off with 11 points, tacking on four rebounds, two blocks, four steals and four assists. Desean Green had a solid night tonight with a team leading eight rebounds, six assists and seven points. 

Milligan shot 47.5% in field goals and Montreat shot 46.7% but Milligan was able to take advantage of poor perimeter shooting by the Cavaliers as they were 7-for-23 behind the arch. Milligan also was able to take advantage of 15 turnovers from the Cavs. 

"Great win for the Buffs tonight," head coach Bill Robinson said. "Five guys in double figures shows great balance, and we only had five turnovers. Great effort overall and hopefully we can keep the momentum going."

Milligan will return to Steve Lacy Fieldhouse on Thursday, Jan. 30, for a nonconference matchup against Johnson University at 7:30 p.m.