Women’s basketball tops Brenau, 82-71

GAINESVILLE, Ga. (Jan. 12, 2021) – Career highs from Lily Griffith and Cali Weddle helped the Milligan University women's basketball team defeat Brenau 82-71 Tuesday evening on the road. The pair scored 24 and 13, respectively, while freshman Jaycie Jenkins scored one point shy of her career high with 21.

The win completed the season sweep for the Buffaloes after Jenkins, Halie Padgett and Griffith combined for 63 points in Milligan's 105-96 overtime victory over Brenau at home earlier this season. It also marked Milligan's second win in the last three games, all which have taken place on the road.

"To start, every player bought in to our defensive strategy, which paid off throughout the game," Head Coach Kylie Russell said. "Great shooting created a cushion for us in the first half, and then composure played a big part as Brenau made some great pushes. This was a great team win. We were missing a few rotation players due to COVID-19 protocol, and everyone stepped up to help us win."

A game full of Milligan runs

An 8-0 run capped by a Kaylee Hendrickson 3-pointer pushed the Buffs into the lead for good early in the second quarter. It turned a 24-20 lead into a 32-20 lead, and Milligan (5-9, 5-4 Appalachian Athletic Conference) went into the break ahead by 10, 43-33.

A 6-0 run early in the third quarter followed by a 7-0 run late in the third quarter saw the Buffs go ahead by their largest lead of 22. The first run came thanks to back-to-back triples from Weddle and Jenkins, then Shayla Stewart hit a three to cap the latter run.

Brenau, on a two-game winning streak, cut Milligan's lead to 14 entering the fourth quarter and to nine with under seven minutes left, but the Buffaloes answered with a 5-0 run to give them all the cushion they would need.

By the numbers

Griffith led all scorers with her 24 points coming from 7-for-9 shooting from the field and 10-for-10 shooting at the free throw line.

Nine Buffs were in the scoring column, with Stacia Wilson (eight) and Bailey Berry (six) following Griffith, Jenkins and Weddle.

Up next

Milligan competes at Union on Saturday, Jan. 16, then at Truett McConnell on Tuesday, Jan. 19. The next home game for the Buffs is currently set for Saturday, Jan. 23, against Tennessee Wesleyan. Home games this season can be followed online at milliganbuffs.com.