Men’s Basketball edged by Montreat 78-75

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (December 13, 2022) – The Milligan University men's basketball team was edged 78-75 by Montreat in a competitive Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) matchup at the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse on Tuesday evening.

The Buffs fall to 4-6 overall and 4-5 in AAC play. Montreat rises to 8-4, 7-3 AAC.

Through the first six minutes of action, Montreat built a 16-8 edge and grew its lead to 12 points (23-11) with 10:49 to play in the first half.

Dylan Bartley knocked down a three pointer to kickstart a 15-0 run that featured a Sami Sanad baseline dunk and a second triple by Bartley. A pair of free throws by Levontae Knox gave the Buffs a 26-23 lead with 6:21 left in the first half.

After Montreat battled back to take a one-point lead (30-29), Knox responded with a right-corner three-pointer to give Milligan a 32-30 edge with three minutes remaining in the half. A two-handed slam by Piripi Korent was followed by a layup in traffic by the Kiwi, an Eli Walls bucket in transition and a Korent free throw were the final seven points of the first half as Milligan led 40-34 at the break.

Montreat narrowed the score to 42-39 three minutes into the second and Sam Gold responded with Milligan's next five points off a three-point play and jumper.

Midway through the second half the score was tied at 54. After was evened at 56 and 59, Montreat canned back-to-back threes to take a 65-61 lead with six minutes left. The Cavs grew their lead to six (69-63) with five minutes to remaining. The score remained 69-66 for nearly two minutes of game time before Flynn Carlson tied the game with a three-point play with 2:33 left.

Montreat scored the next two baskets on contested layups to lead 73-69 in the final two minutes. Gold's layup made it a one-possession game before Montreat drained a clutch three-pointer. The Buffs battled back to a 76-75 margin after a late Sanad bucket. Milligan nearly stole Montreat's ensuing inbound pass but the Cavs ended up breaking Milligan's press and converting a layup.

Bartley had a look at a right-wing game-tying three at the buzzer, but his attempt was offline.

Bartley had 16 points and six rebounds. Gold added 15 points and five rebounds. Knox posted 12 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Sanad had 11 points and nine boards and Carlson notched 10 rebounds and six assists.

The Buffs shot 48.0 percent from the floor and outrebounded Montreat 48-31, however 22 Milligan turnovers proved costly as they led to 27 Cavalier points.

Milligan travels to Hawaii for the Hawaii-Hilo Classic this weekend.