Men’s Basketball falls late at KCU

GRAYSON, Ky. (November 19, 2022) – The Milligan University men's basketball team led 75-74 with three minutes left in regulation at Kentucky Christian but the Knights closed the game with 16-3 run to earn a 90-78 victory on Saturday evening.

Milligan falls to 1-4 on the season and 1-3 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play. All four of the Buffs' AAC games so far this season have been decided in the game's final minutes. KCU moves to 2-3, 2-3 AAC.

KCU led for much of the first half, eventually extending out to a 10-point lead (34-24) with 5:40 left in the half. Milligan held the Knights without a field goal in the final three minutes of the period and scored six-straight points to head into the halftime break down 38-37.

The Buffs embarked on a 14-2 run in the opening four minutes of the second half to lead 52-40. The run featured six points from Sam Gold, two baskets by Flynn Carlson and buckets by Levontae Knox and Dylan Bartley.

KCU looked to chip away at the Buffs' lead but a three-pointer by Eli Walls kept Milligan ahead by double-digits (58-47) with 12:42 left in regulation. Midway through the second half the Knights narrowed the margin to five (60-55).

The Buffs led by just four before a three by Bartley, a transition layup by Sami Sanad and a free throw by Knox gave Milligan a 69-59 edge with 7:38 to play.

KCU took its first lead since early in the second half at 74-73 with 3:15 remaining. Carlson answered with a basket before the Knights scored seven-straight points on three offensive possessions to lead 81-75 with 90 seconds to play.

Carlson converted a layup to make it a four-point game (81-77) but Milligan would get no closer late as KCU knocked down six free throws in the final minute to secure the AAC victory.

Carlson matched a career high with 17 points on seven-of-eight shooting with four rebounds. Bartley scored 16 points and Walls knocked down three three-pointers on his way to 15 points, his first-ever double-figure outing as a Buff. Knox had 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Gold had nine points and 10 rebounds.

Milligan outrebounded KCU 45-36 on the day but lost the turnover battle 22-14. Milligan's bench outscored KCU 24-10. Milligan shot 45.8 percent from the floor while KCU shot 42.3 percent and both teams connected on five threes.

KCU's Kortney Ware scored 40 points for the hosts on 14-of-28 shooting.

Milligan hosts Tennessee Wesleyan on Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m.