Women’s basketball battles late but falls at Truett McConnell

CLEVELAND, Ga. (Jan. 19, 2021) – The Milligan University women's basketball team made several pushes in the final quarter but ultimately came up short for the second straight time, losing 70-67 at Truett McConnell Tuesday evening in an Appalachian Athletic Conference road game. Freshman Jaycie Jenkins' 20 points and 10 rebounds led the Buffaloes, who completed a six-game road swing in the loss.

The double-double for Jenkins was her AAC-leading eighth of the season. Cali Weddle scored a career-high 15 points.

Rallying back but falling short

Jenkins scored the Buffs' first six points, helping them go out to a 6-2 lead, but an 8-3 Bears run to finish the first quarter, then a 13-0 Bears run midway through the second quarter, helped put Truett into the lead for good. The latter run put Truett up by 10, 38-28, and they would take that same advantage into the halftime break.

Despite trailing by as many as 15 in the third quarter and by double figures with under five minutes to go in regulation, Milligan 5-11 (5-7 AAC) made several rallies late in the game. Weddle and Lily Griffith made back-to-back field goals to make it a five-point game early in the fourth quarter before again scoring back-to-back field goals in the final four minutes to trim the lead to six.

Still rallying beyond that, Jenkins converted an and-one with 15 seconds to go to make it a four-point game, then Weddle knocked down a triple on the next possession to make it a two-point deficit with eight seconds left. However, that would be the closest Milligan would get as Truett made a free throw at the other end to help seal the game.

In the box score

Jenkins and Weddle were the first two of three Buffaloes in double figures for scoring, followed by Griffith who had 12 points, six rebounds and four assists. Weddle also added six rebounds.

Next in line were Shayla Stewart and Stacia Wilson who both scored seven, then Bailey Berry who scored five.

Re'Tavia Floyd led all scorers from Truett's bench, shooting 7-for-15 in a 27-point effort. Sierra Kendall followed next with 14.

Up next

Milligan plays at home for its next two, first facing Tennessee Wesleyan Saturday at 2 p.m. The Buffs will then be home again next Tuesday, Jan. 26, against St. Andrews beginning at 5 p.m. Home games this season can be followed online through milliganbuffs.com.