Men’s Basketball downed at CIU

COLUMBIA, S.C. (December 1, 2021) – The Milligan University men's basketball team dropped an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) matchup at Columbia International 92-79 on Wednesday evening.

The Buffs fall to 0-8 on the year and 0-7 in AAC play. CIU moves to 6-3, 4-3 AAC.

After CIU lead 4-2 three minutes into the game, Milligan reeled off nine straight points that featured four points from Josh Thomas and was capped by a Jackson Gabriel three to go ahead 11-4 with 13:42 to play in the first half.

Alex Chambers, in his first action of the season, drained a three with 9:43 to go in the half to keep Milligan ahead 19-12.

A three-point play kickstarted a 9-0 CIU that gave the hosts a 21-19 lead with seven and a half minutes to play in the period. Sami Sanad scored each of the next three baskets for Milligan as he went back and forth with CIU. The game was tied at 25 with five minutes to go in the first half.

The Rams surged ahead with a 10-2 run to put CIU ahead 35-27 with two minutes to go. Piripi Korent and Adam Graham each scored two points in the final two minuets but CIU drained a pair of threes to go to the halftime break up 41-31.

The Buffs got back within eight (44-36) after back-to-back baskets early in the second half, but CIU pushed its advantage to double ditigs for good with an 11-point spurt to go ahead 64-42 with 10:37 to play in regulation.

Over the final 10 minutes, Milligan used an 11-2 run to cut the lead to 12 at 77-65 and 79-67, but could not get back within 10 the rest of the way.

Five players scored in double figures for Buffs. Trevor Hensley had 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Sanad had 13 points and six rebounds. Gabriel chipped in a dozen points, Levontae Knox scored 11 and Thomas had 10.

The Buffs finished plus-seven (19-12) in the turnover margin but were outrebounded 47-31.

CIU was led by Devin Pope, who had a game-high 23 points on 11 field goal attempts.

The Buffs return to action with a pair of nonconference games this weekend at Toccoa Falls and Austin Peay.