Women’s Basketball battles back late but falls at Alice Lloyd 76-73

PIPPA PASSES, Ky. (November 2, 2021) – The Milligan University women's basketball team clawed back from a 10-point fourth quarter deficit and had two opportunities to tie the game in the final 10 seconds but fell 76-73 at Alice Lloyd College on Tuesday evening.

The Buffs close the opening non-conference portion of their schedule 0-3. Alice Lloyd moves to 2-1 on the year.

Kayla Romines knocked down a pair of threes in the first quarter as Milligan jumped out to 25-15 in the game's first 10 minutes. The Buffs carried an eight-point advantage (42-34) into halftime.

However, Alice Lloyd battled back in the second half and took a 57-56 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Eagles led 72-62 with four minutes left in regulation. After a pair of Milligan free throws, Kristy Galea knocked down a three to trim the deficit to 72-67 with two-and-a-half minutes to play.

After neither team could convert on the offensive end for several trips Halie Padgett split two free throws with just under a minute to go. ALC made a pair of free throws to make it 74-68 with 48 seconds left.

Jaycie Jenkins knocked down a long jumper off a high ball screen with 37 seconds remaining to make it 74-70 Eagles. After an Alice Lloyd timeout, Galea stripped the ALC guard in the backcourt and finished a layup through contact for a three-point play to put the Buffs back within one (74-73) with a little over half a minute to go.

Alice Lloyd split a pair of free throws with 17 seconds left, giving the Buffs a chance to tie the game or take the lead. Following a timeout, Jenkins drove along the right baseline and put in a game-tying attempt, only for it to be waved off due to an offensive foul.

After the Eagles made one of two free throws, the Buffs got the ball back down 76-73 with 10 seconds left. Out of another timeout, the Buffs turned the ball over by stepping out of bounds along the baseline.

Milligan got the ball back with a second to play down three after a held basketball with the possession arrow favoring the visitors. Coach Kylie Russell Greer dialed up an open look for Jenkins from the left wing that just missed its mark and Alice Lloyd escaped with a three-point win.

Jenkins and Galea led the way offensively for Milligan with 16 points apiece. Romines, Lauren Longmire and Stacia Wilson chipped in with nine points each. Padgett had eight points and Lily Griffith had six.

The Buffs open Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play on Saturday at Montreat.