Men’s Basketball drops overtime thriller to (RV) IU Kokomo

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (November 25, 2023) – The Milligan University men's basketball pushed undefeated Indiana University Kokomo to the brink but fell 84-76 in overtime at the MeadowView Marriott in Kingsport on Saturday.

Milligan falls to 3-4 on the season while IU Kokomo, who received votes in the most recent edition of the national rankings, rose to 8-0.

IU Kokomo led 62-56 with 4:36 left in regulation. Follie Bogan made a layup and McCaskill Rivers drained a three and Bogan converted a free throw to tie the game at 62 with 2:26 to play.

The Cougars took a 65-62 lead with 1:58 remaining on a three-pointer. Bogan made a free throw to make it two-point game and sank a jumper with 21 seconds left to tie the game at 65. Sam Gold blocked an IU Kokomo go-ahead layup attempt with a second left. The Cougars' shot at the buzzer missed the mark as the teams went to overtime.

IU Kokomo scored the first five points of overtime with a jumper and a three-point play. The Buffs cut the margin to three points at 70-67 and 72-69 but IU Kokomo scored the next four points to lead by eight (78-71) with 1:10 left in overtime. Bogan drained a three to make it 78-74 but the Buffs could get no closer as the Cougars hung on for the overtime victory.

The first half saw Milligan lead by as many as nine points (27-18) with six minutes left in the half before the Cougars tied the game at 27 with 3:46 left in the period. The Buffs scored the last three points of the half to establish a 34-31 halftime lead.

The Buffs led by six (45-39) seven minutes into the second half but IU Kokomo scored the next eight points to take the lead at the midway point of the half as the game went down to the wire in the final minutes.

Bogan led the Buffs with 21 points and seven rebounds. Rivers had 18 points and four rebounds.

Finn McClure added 13 points, five rebounds and three assists. Flynn Carlson posted 12 points and nine rebounds. Gold scored 10 points, collected nine rebounds and had four blocks.

Milligan travels to Carson-Newman for another nonconference matchup on Monday.