Cole’s double-double helps Buffs clip Eagles

WALESKA, Ga. (Jan. 30, 2021) – Matt Cole tallied 24 points and 11 rebounds, and the Milligan University men's basketball team weathered a late storm to defeat Reinhardt 80-73 Saturday in a big Appalachian Athletic Conference road win. Cole's double-double was the first of his career and featured a career high in scoring.

Milligan (6-6, 6-5 AAC) led by as many as 18 in the first half, trailed by five in the second half, and held a 10-point lead with under three minutes to go before watching Reinhardt cut the margin to four with a chance to cut it to three with under 20 seconds left.

A Tyler Faulkenberry made free throw and last-second basket by Cole helped Milligan secure the victory, the Buffaloes' fourth straight road win.

With the win, Milligan avenged a loss to Reinhardt earlier this season when the Eagles came away from Steve Lacy Fieldhouse with a 94-89 decision.

In the box score

Behind Cole's career high 24 points, which led all scorers, three other Buffs made it to double figures in scoring. Jackson Gabriel and Faulkenberry followed with 16 points apiece, and Trevor Hensley chipped in with 11 points. Adam Graham scored eight points.

Cole's scoring came off 11-for-15 shooting and two made free throws.

Gabriel and Levontae Knox led the Buffs with a game-high four assists, and Hensley had eight rebounds and three assists, the former a career high.

Reinhardt (13-7, 8-6 AAC) put four players in double figures, led by Kristian Collins who scored 18 on 6-for-13 shooting. Collins went 4-for-8 from the perimeter.

Up next

Milligan heads to Dayton, Tennessee, next Tuesday, Feb. 2, for a 7 p.m. AAC game against Bryan. The Buffaloes will be home the following Thursday at 7 p.m. against Kentucky Christian. Home games this season can be followed online at milliganbuffs.com.