Milligan Men’s Basketball Stymied by Truett McConnell on the Road

CLEVELAND, Ga. — On Saturday, the Milligan University men's basketball team was in search of a victory on the road in Cleveland, Ga. at Truett McConnell University to help them keep pace with the top teams in the Appalachian Athletic Conference with just two regular-season matchups to be played. The Bears spoiled those hopes, as the Buffaloes fell to the hosts, 83-75

The first half story was one of high turnover numbers for both squads. The two sides combined for 15 giveaways, including seven for the Buffs and eight for the Bears. Both teams had respectable shooting clips, as Milligan made 13-of-31 from the field for 35 points. Truett was just a bit more efficient at 12-of-27 for 36 points to lead the game over MU at the break by one point.

In the second, Milligan would hold the lead at 62-59 with 8:12 to play, but that advantage quickly disappeared. A 15-2 TMU run over 4:45 of game time put the Buffs in a 74-64 hole with only three minutes and change left. That stretch would prove to be the difference, as the Buffaloes fell 83-75. Truett McConnell's 19-of-34 shooting mark outdid the Milligan clip of 14-of-31.

McCaskill Rivers (7-of-14) and Luke Lentz (6-of-15) both scored 17 points in the contest, while Sam Gold and Elijah Bredwood added 11 apiece.

Rivers and Finn McClure doled out three dimes each, and Lentz and Bredwood had two assists apiece. Gold had the final of 11 Milligan assists.

Rivers was also the team's leader in rebounds, hauling in nine of them in the loss. Handje Tamba brought in six, while McClure and Bredwood evenly split eight. Lincoln Thomae and Flynn Carlson both grabbed two, and Gold and Piripi Korent each had one.

Two Buffs had three steals each, as Rivers and Bredwood were responsible for those thefts. Tamba showed up defensively with two blocks and a takeaway. McClure and Thomae both had one steal, as well.

The Buffaloes' chances at the regular-season title have now been severely damaged after the loss to the Bears, but they must bounce back, as they return to battle the Tennessee Wesleyan University Bulldogs at 7:30 p.m. on Senior Night, Wednesday, Feb. 19, inside Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.