Big second half powers Buffs past Toccoa Falls 90-52

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (December 14, 2021)— The Milligan University men's basketball team defeated Toccoa Falls College 90-52 on Tuesday evening at Steve Lacy Fieldhouse. Despite trailing by one at halftime, the Buffs outscored the Screaming Eagles 58-19 in the second half to end with a final score of 90-52 to secure their first win of the season.

Highlights

Milligan is now 1-10 (0-8 AAC) after Tuesday night's victory while Toccoa Falls falls to 9-8 overall for the 2021-2022 season. 

Toccoa Falls scored the game's first five points and led by seven (13-6) through the game's first eight minutes. Milligan responded with a 9-2 spurt that included a three from Sami Sanad, a pair of Flynn Carlson layups and a basket from Piripi Korent to make it 17-15 Eagles with 9:54 to play in the half.

Toccoa Falls scored the next eight points to push its lead to 25-15 with seven minutes to play in the half. Korent put in the next two baskets, one off a feed from Trevor Hensley and a putback. Toccoa Falls quickly rebuilt its 10-point lead (29-19) before Hensley canned a three to make it 29-22 with four minutes left in the half. Alex Chambers sank a three of his own bring the game to a six-point margin (31-25) the next trip down the floor.

Henlsey earned two trips to the free throw line and downed four foul shots to bring Milligan within four (33-29) in the final 90 seconds of the first half. Jackson Gabriel drained a three from the left corner in the final seconds of the half to trim Toccoa Falls' lead to 33-32 at the half as the Buffs closed the half on a 7-0 run.

Milligan took its first lead (34-33) of the evening when Sanad converted a pair of free throws to open the scoring in the second half. After Toccoa Falls retook the lead, Milligan responded with 11-straight points as Gabriel sank a three on the left wing, Josh Thomas drained a triple from the right side and Gabriel added another from the left corner. The run was capped the spurt with a dunk in transition to put the Buffs ahead 45-37 with 14:22 left in regulation.

The Buffs extended their lead to double-digits with back-to-back baskets by Knox, the second being a steal and dunk, prompting a Toccoa Falls timeout. Another dunk by Korent pushed Milligan's lead to a dozen (51-39). Back-to-back threes by Hensley and Gabriel extended Milligan's advantage to 23 (64-41). All told, Milligan used a 30-6 run in the second half to take control of the game for good.

Coach Bill Robinson emptied his bench with three minuets left in regulation with the Buffs up 85-50.

Tuesday night marked several season-highs for the Buffs in a number of offensive categories: points (90), assists (24), field goals made (33), field goal percent (56.9%) and three-pointers made (11).

Carlson tallied a season-high 16 points on seven-of-eight shooting in addition to four rebounds and two assists. Hensley finished with a team-high 17 points on four-of-nine shooting and three-of-six from behind the arc. Korent finished one rebound shy of a double-double with 11 points and nine boards. Gabriel knocked down four three point shots totaling 12 points on four-of-eleven shooting. Thomas added ten points on four-of-eight shooting from the floor to go along with six rebounds. 

Milligan returns to the court for a visiting exhibition battle with NCAA Division I UNC Asheville next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.