Men's Basketball falls to Hawaii-Hilo in game one of the Big Island Holiday classic

HILO, Hawaii. (December 17, 2022) - The Milligan University men's basketball team played its first of two games in the Big Island Holiday Classic as the Buffs fell 91-59 to Hawaii-Hilo at Afcook-Chinen Civic Auditorium late Friday night. 

The Buffs move to 4-7 overall and 4-5 in AAC play. Hawaii-Hilo rises to 6-1 on the season. 

The Buffs got off to a slow start shooting just 4-15 from the field and trailed 25-10 midway through the first half. Unable to trim the deficit in the final ten minutes, the Buffs finished the first half trailing 50-25. Dylan Bartley chipped in ten first half points along with three rebounds, shooting four of seven from the field and going two of five from beyond the arch. 

Bartley picked up where he left off, knocking down a three-point basket on the Buffs opening possession of the second half. Sam Gold also got off to a hot start, scoring seven quick points in the opening minutes to swing momentum in the Buffs favor. The hot start quickly faded as Hawaii-Hilo began to pull further ahead, leading the Buffs 65-39 at the midway mark of the second half. The Buffs were unable to overcome the large deficit in the final ten minutes, falling to Hawaii-Hilo with a final score of 91-59. 

Bartley finished with 13 points and three rebounds. Gold added nine points and five rebounds. Levontae Knox scored five points along with six rebounds and three assists. 

The Buffs finished the game shooting 32 percent from the floor while converting 9-12 free throw attempts. As a team, Milligan collected 33 rebounds and dished out 11 assists. 

The Buffs return to the court for their second game of the Big Island Holiday Classic tomorrow.