Bryan Rally Sinks Milligan Men's Basketball in Last Home Game of 2024

MILLIGAN, Tenn. - The Milligan University men's basketball team was back in action Saturday, as they played host to the Bryan College Lions. A large crowd was inside Steve Lacy Fieldhouse for an important AAC matchup. The Buffs were unable to maintain their winning ways at home as they dropped a close-fought game against the Lions, 72-69. 

It was a strong first half performance, outside of the turnover category, from the Buffs; especially on the defensive end. They forced the Lions to shoot 2-of-11 from three-point range and held them to a 39% shooting clip from the field. The Buffs were offensively much more efficient from the field, shooting 54%, as well as 6-of-15 from behind the arc. Milligan went into the break with a six point, 39-33 advantage.

Second half shooting woes would hurt the Buffs, as they were only able to shoot 18% (2-of-11) from behind the arc. This would allow the Lions back into the game, as they found the hot hand that the Buffs had in the first half. Turnovers would be a big part of the downfall for the Buffs as they would concede eighteen on the day. Milligan was able to cut the Bryan lead to just one at 70-69, and had an opportunity with the ball, but ultimately turned over the orange to fall in a hard fought battle, 72-69.

McCaskill Rivers led the way for the Buffs with 22 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the field. Sam Gold had a big night for the Buffs chipping in 11 points. Finn McClure would add 11 points of his own in the loss as the third, and final, scorer of over 10 points.

Gold and Rivers combined for eight assists with four each, while McClure (3) and Luke Lentz (2) also had multiple dimes.

Lincoln Thomae was the team's leading rebounder with six, while Gold, Rivers, and Handje Tamba enveloped five each. Additionally, McCLure and Jayme Peay had four apiece, and both Lentz and Piripi Korent had two.

Thomae's two steals led the team, with both Rivers and Grant Hensley adding the remaining two. Gold sent back two shots in the loss, while Tamba rejected one.

Milligan, now 7-7 with a 3-4 conference mark, will hit the road for the rest of December. They first head to fellow AAC foe St. Andrews (N.C.) on December 16th. Tipoff is slated for 2:00pm.