Knox leads the Buffs to win over Reinhardt

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (January 4, 2022) – The Milligan University men's basketball team defeated Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) opponent Reinhardt University 59-57 in Tuesday night's matchup in the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse. The Buffs erased an eleven-point lead over the final five minutes of play to claim the victory over the Eagles.

After winning each of its last two home games, Milligan climbs to a record of 2-10 (1-8 AAC) while Reinhardt falls to 9-7 (6-4 AAC). 

Reinhardt entered the January matchup riding a four-game AAC win streak, including a victory over first-place Tennessee Wesleyan.

Milligan seized control in the game's first minute as Jackson Gabriel drained a three on the opening possession and Levontae Knox picked a Reinhardt player's pocket and went the distance for a dunk. Knox added a lay-in and Josh Thomas converted a free throw to push Milligan's early advantage to 8-0 through the game's first 4:03.

After Reinhardt put in its first basket of the evening, Gabriel connected on a pair of threes and Knox used a nifty finish to put the Buffs ahead by double-digits (16-5) with 12 minutes to play in the first half.

The Eagles brought the margin to seven (17-10), but back-to-back baskets, including a dunk along the baseline by Piripi Korent extended Milligan's lead to double-figures once again. Another coast-to-coast layup for Knox pushed the Buffs' advantage to 23-10 with six minutes left in the half.

Milligan's defense in the first half was stifling, as the Buffs kept Reinhardt from recording a field goal for over nine minutes from the 11:54 mark until 2:31 left in the first half. The Eagles bounced back from the scoring drought with consecutive three-point makes to cut Milligan's lead to 23-18 with 2:09 left in the half. Three free throws and a putback dunk for Reinhardt tied the game at 23 with a minute to play in the half.

Knox and Sami Sanad connected on three foul shots in the final minute to give Milligan a 26-23 halftime lead. The Buffs held Reinhardt to 22 percent shooting from the field and 19 percent from three in the first half.

Reinhardt reeled off the first seven points of the second half to lead 30-26 two minutes into the period. Back-to-back transition baskets by Korent tied the game at 30 with 17:14 to play.

A slew of offensive rebounds helped Reinhardt build a nine point lead (45-36) with 10 minutes to play in regulation. Consecutive layups in traffic by Knox and Carlson quickly bought the Reinhardt lead to five (45-40) with 9:25 to go. A three at the end of a shot clock by Knox brought the Buffs within four (47-43) a few moments later.

A right wing three and a pair of free throws extended Reinhardt's lead to double-digits (54-44) with just under six minutes left in regulation.

Reinhardt's lead was trimmed to five (56-51) with three minutes left as Knox sliced through for a pair of layups and set up Hensley for a deuce of his own to prompt a Reinhardt timeout. Two free throws by Hensley made it a 56-53 ballgame.

Knox drained a pair of free throws with just under a minute to play to get within one (57-56). A Reinhardt turnover on the next possession gave the Buffs an opportunity to take the lead. Knox put in a spinning scoop shot with 28.4 seconds left in regulation to take a 58-57 lead.

The Buffs' defense forced a Reinhardt travel to prevent the visitors from even attempting a go-ahead shot on the following possession. Henlsey split two free throws to give Milligan a two-point lead late. Knox blocked a potential go-ahead three with a second to play.

Knox finished with a team-high 23 points on nine-of-eleven shooting from the floor to go along with five rebounds, four steals and three assists. 

Milligan returns to action Thursday evening with a visiting matchup at first-place Tennesseee Wesleyan at 5:30 pm.