Men’s basketball wins at KCU

GRAYSON, Ky. (Dec. 2, 2020) – David Tripp led the way with 33 points, and the Milligan University men's basketball team defeated Kentucky Christian, 91-84, Wednesday on the road.

Tripp scored 18 of his game-high 33 points in the second half. This followed a 15-point first half which saw him hit a 3-pointer to cap a 15-3 Milligan run at the end of the first half.

Milligan improved to 3-2 (3-1 Appalachian Athletic Conference) and now has the fewest losses among AAC teams with a league-most three wins. The Buffs also handed KCU its first league loss of the season as the Knights fell to 1-3 (1-1 AAC).

Late surge in first half leads Buffs to victory

Tripp's three was the third of three three's Milligan made in the closing minutes of the opening period. Jackson Gabriel made one to start the run, swinging a two-point deficit into a one-point lead, and the Buffs would never again trail. Trevor Hensley also connected on a three during the run, starting a stretch of nine straight points the Buffs scored.

Milligan came out of the break on a 7-0 run to go ahead by 17 and led by double digits for the majority of the second half. Kentucky Christian cut Milligan's lead to eight with six minutes to go, but the Buffaloes quickly answered with a made field goal on the next possession to go back ahead by 10.

The Knights then chipped into the lead again a few times in the final three minutes. They cut it to seven after a 6-1 run made it 83-76 and to six after a 5-0 run made it 87-81, but Milligan answered with enough made free throws and defensive stops to help seal the win.

By the numbers

Tripp's 33 points matched his Milligan career high and marked the fifth time through five games this season he scored at least 19. He did it on 12-for-18 shooting and added five rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Four other Buffs scored double figures, including Tyler Faulkenberry with 16, Josh Thomas was 13, Gabriel with 12 and Hensley with 11. Thomas added 10 rebounds, nine on the defensive end, for his second straight double-double.

For Kentucky Christian, Kurt Hall led the way with 28 points on 8-for-20 shooting.

Up next

Milligan plays at home twice next week, starting with Bryan on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. Home games this season can be followed online through milliganbuffs.com.