Men’s Basketball downs Truett McConnell 96-71

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (January 31, 2024) – The Milligan University men's basketball team used its high-powered offense to overwhelm Truett McConnell 96-71 on Smith-Harris Court in the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse on Wednesday night.

Milligan rises to 9-10 on the season and 9-8 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play. The Bears fall to 7-10, 9-12 AAC. The Buffs complete a season sweep over TMU and move to 6-2 at home this season.

The Buffs used a quick 7-0 run with a three-pointer by Sam Gold and two baskets from Follie Bogan to establish an 11-4 lead three minutes into the contest. The lead grew to double-digits (22-12) after a steal and breakaway slam dunk by Gold with 12:52 left in the half.

Three-pointers by Bogan and Jay Hickman extended Milligan's lead to 32-16 midway through the opening period. The Bears cut the margin to 12 (40-28) with five minutes left in the half but Milligan responded with the next five points to maintain its double-digit lead. Hickman canned a three in the final minute of the half to hand the Buffs a 52-32 halftime edge.

TMU used an 10-4 spurt to bring the deficit to 20 (69-49) with 12:13 left in regulation. The Buffs scored the next 11 points to lead 80-49 with nine minutes left. Milligan led by double-digits the entire second half and took home a 25-point victory.

Bogan paced Milligan with 26 points and seven rebounds. Gold had 18 points and seven rebounds. Flynn Carlson recorded 14 points and five rebounds. McCaskill Rivers had 11 points and four rebounds and Hickman added 10 points and five rebounds. Lincoln Thomae had eight points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

The Buffs shot 50.6 percent from the field for the game, had a 47-42 edge in the rebounding margin and finished plus-four (14-10) in the turnover margin. The Buffs had 22 assists on 40 baskets and held a 15-2 edge in fast break points.

Milligan travels to Kentucky Christian on Saturday.