Men’s Basketball stuns Union in season opener

JACKSON, Tenn. (November 4, 2023) – The Milligan University men's basketball team stunned NCAA Division II Union 91-90 in the Buffs' 2023-24 season opener.

After trailing by as many as 13 points in the first half, the Buffs outscored the Bulldogs 12-4 in the final three minutes of regulation. Newcomer Follie Bogan made three go-ahead baskets in the final two minutes of regulation, including the game-winner with three seconds left.

Midway through the second half, the Buffs trailed 68-62. McCaskill Rivers, Sam Gold and Luke Lentz each drained threes as part of an 11-3 run to tie the game at 72 with eight minuets to go. The Bulldogs went ahead 78-73 with six minutes left and 86-79 with three minutes to go.

Milligan took the lead with an 8-0 spurt that featured a Flynn Carlson layup, Gold trey and a three-point play by Bogan to take the lead with 1:32 to play.

Union took an 88-87 lead with a pair of free throws and Bogan scored to re-take the lead with 1:02 remaining. The Bulldogs went ahead 90-89 with 10 seconds left before Bogan sored his 34th and 35th points of the night with three seconds left to snatch a hard-fought road victory.

The Bulldogs began the game with a 12-2 run over the first four minutes of the contest. Bogan buoyed the Milligan offense in the early going by scoring eight of Milligan's first 10 points.

The Buffs outscored Union 24-14 over nearly nine minutes of game action to come back within three (40-37) with two minutes left in the half. During Milligan's run, eight different players scored with Rivers and Lentz draining threes.

Union sank a pair of treys in the final two minutes of the half to lead 46-37 at the halftime break.

Bogan finished with 35 points, 11 rebounds and four assists to lead the team in all three categories.

Gold added 13 points, six rebounds and four steals. Rivers scored 10 points in his collegiate debut. Lentz added nine points, all from beyond the three-point line. Lincoln Thomae had eight points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals on the day.

The Buffs held a 41-34 rebounding edge and were plus-11 from the free throw line (16-5.

Milligan opens Appalachian Athletic Conference play Wednesday at the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse against Bluefield at 7:30 p.m.