Buffs fall to Truett McConnell in double-OT thriller

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (January 22, 2022) — The Milligan University men's basketball team fell to Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) opponent Truett McConnell University 91-87 in an intense double-overtime game Saturday afternoon at Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.   

Milligan now sits at 3-14 (2-12 AAC) after the loss, while Truett McConnell adds on to their win total climbing to 12-8 (8-7 AAC) on the season.   

Milligan ended the first half with back to back three-point shots increasing their lead to ten going into halftime. Sami Sanad converted on a four-point play after being fouled on the right wing and Levontae Knox knocked down a dagger three at the horn.   

Truett McConnell started the second half with a 10-2 run trimming the Buffalo lead to two (41-39) in the first four minutes. The Bears tied the game (45-45) after causing a Milligan turnover and finishing on a layup at the other end.  

The largest lead in the second half came in favor of the Buffs after Josh Thomas drained a three-pointer to put Milligan up by eight (62-54) with just over seven minutes to go in the game. Over the next three minutes, Truett McConnell tied the game again (66-66) after reeling off a 12-4 run. After trading baskets on the next few possessions, both teams were tied (70-70) at the end of regulation.  

The Bears began the first overtime with two quick layups to put themselves up by four (74-70) over the first minute and a half. The Buffs answered with back to back layups of their own by Piripi Korent and Trevor Hensley to retake the lead 75-74. After a mid-range jumper gave Truett McConnell the lead (76-75) with one minute and 43 seconds to go, Adam Graham drilled a clutch three-pointer giving the lead back to the Buffs (78-76) with one minute remaining. Five free throws from the Bears over the final minute gave them a three point lead (81-78) with 11 seconds to go. On the final offensive possession of the first overtime, Knox drove the ball down the middle of the lane and made an incredible pass to Graham waiting in the corner. Graham then nailed the three-point shot with two Bears' defenders in his face to force double-overtime.  

After three consecutive layups in double-OT, Truett McConnell gave themselves a four-point lead (87-83) with two minutes and 18 seconds remaining in the game. A momentum swinging dunk by Korent cut the Bears' lead to just two with one-minute to go. However, Truett McConnell iced the game with four late free-throws to seal the win 91-87.  

Six Buffs scored in double-figures led by Hensley with 21. Graham and Thomas finished with 15 points apiece, followed by Korent with 13, Sanad with 12 and Knox with 11. Milligan shot 47 percent on 32-of-67 from the field.  

The Buffs are back at home on Wednesday facing off with Kentucky Christian at 7:30 p.m.