Last-minute rally falls just short for Men’s Basketball vs. No. 12 Union

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (January 9, 2023) – The Milligan University men's basketball team put together a furious rally in the final minute and came up three points short of No. 12 Union, 95-92, on Monday evening at the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse on Monday night.

The Buffs fall to 5-10 on the season and 5-7 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) action. Union moves to 14-1 on the year and stays unbeaten in AAC play at 12-0.

Milligan used a 13-2 run featuring three-pointers by Drew Greene and Dylan Bartley to build an eight-point lead (15-7) six minutes into the ballgame. Union rallied back to take a 23-22 lead with seven minutes left in the half and built a 39-32 halftime edge.

After the Buffs narrowed the margin to two point (39-37) in the first minute of the second half, the Bulldogs responded with five points of their own and remained ahead by multiple possessions.

Union's lead grew to as many as 15 points (77-62) with five minutes left. The Bulldogs held a 12-point advantage (83-71) with 1:28 to play. After a Greene layup, Adam Graham had a steal and a dunk to make it an eight-point game (83-75).

The Bulldogs led 88-79 with 39 seconds to go before back-to-back threes by Jackson Gabriel and Bartley cut the margin to 89-85. A technical free throw and a three-point play by Greene brought the game within two points (91-89) with 14 seconds left. Bartley's fifth three of the night made it a 93-92 game with 10 seconds to go. After two made free throws, the Buffs had a three-point attempt at the buzzer to tie that game that missed its mark.

Playing without three key contributors, the Buffs put up a season-high 92 points and finished with four double-digit scorers.

Bartley had 22 points, four rebounds and three assists. Greene set season highs with 17 points and 10 assists. Sami Sanad notched 15 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Adam Graham recorded 14 points.

The Buffs shot 50.0 percent from the field and drained 10-of-25 three-pointers. Milligan shot just 14-of-26 from the free throw line, while Union was 26-of-33. The Bulldogs drilled 13 three-pointers at 59.1 percent and had its five starters combine for 92 points.

Milligan continues its five-game homestand Wednesday evening against Reinhardt at 7:30 p.m.