Men’s Basketball clinches winning AAC record with 93-78 victory at Bluefield

BLUEFIELD, Va. (February 21, 2024) – The Milligan University men's basketball team clinched a winning season in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play with a 93-78 victory at Bluefield on Wednesday evening.

The Buffs rise to 13-12 on the season and 13-10 in AAC play. Milligan began the day in sixth place in the 13-team league standings and moved into fifth place with its win and Bryan's loss to Union. Bluefield concludes its regular season with an 8-20 record and a 4-20 AAC mark.

The Rams and Buffs went back and forth over the first six minutes of action with Milligan holding an 18-17 edge. Milligan scored the next seven points with McCaskill Rivers sinking a three to put the Buffs ahead 25-17.

Rivers drained a trey and two three-point plays on a 13-2 run late in the half to push Milligan's lead to 16 (49-33). Follie Bogan scored three times in the final minute of the half to give the Buffs a 53-37 edge going into halftime.

Consecutive baskets by Flynn Carlson, Lincoln Thomae and Finn McClure grew the Buffs' advantage to 60-41 in the first three minutes of the second half. The Rams worked the margin back to 10 (62-52) with 13:49 left in regulation. Bogan and Rivers both made threes as Milligan responded with 10 of the next 12 points to go ahead 72-54. Milligan led by double-figures the rest of the contest and emerged with the 15-point win.

Rivers finished with a career high 28 points on 10-13 shooting. He added four rebounds and five assists. Bogan had 26 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. Sam Gold posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Thomae recorded 11 points, nine rebounds and three assists.

Milligan shot 57.8 percent from the field and outscored Bluefield 52-28 in the paint. The Buffs held a 40-24 rebounding edge and scored 15 second chance points.

The Buffs can clinch a winning campaign and finish as high as fourth in the AAC standings with a win against St. Andrews on Saturday in the regular season finale. Milligan hosts the Knights in the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse at 2:00 p.m.