Buffs remain undefeated in conference play with 72-61 win over Truett McConnell

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (November 20, 2021) – The Milligan University women's basketball team defeated Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) opponent Truett McConnell University 72-61 on Saturday afternoon.

Milligan remains undefeated in conference play with a 6-0 AAC record and a 6-3 mark overall. Truett McConnell drops to an overall record of 4-2 (2-2 AAC).

After going down 1-0 to begin the game, the Buffs retook the lead and did not give it up for the rest of the first half. Milligan's largest lead of the first half came with just under three minutes left in the second quarter after Lauren Longmire converted on a layup to make the score 33-19. Truett McConnell scored the last four points of the half in under a minute to trim the Buffalo lead down to ten going into the break.

Milligan shot 43 percent on 13-30 shooting from the field and four-for-nine from three-point range. The Buffs also had a plus-11 rebounding advantage over the Bears in the first half.

Truett McConnell opened the second half on a 17-0 run behind a great shooting display from guard Re'Tavia Floyd who scored 16 points in the third quarter alone on four-of-five shooting from behind the arc. After the Bears increased their lead to nine points with just under five minutes to go in the third (45-36), the Buffs reeled off a 12-0 run to retake the lead 48-45. Truett McConnell tied the game at 48 after a Milligan foul on a three-point attempt with one second to go in the quarter.

Lily Griffith and Jaycie Jenkins closed the game out in the fourth for the Buffs, each scoring seven points and securing four rebounds. Truett McConnell trimmed the lead down to a single possession with 30 seconds to go in the quarter, forcing the Bears to foul to extend the game. Milligan went six-for-six from the free throw line down the stretch to close it out on an 8-0 run with a final score of 72-61.

Jenkins led the Buffs in points and rebounds with 19 points and six boards. She also dished a season-high six assists and had three blocks. Griffith almost secured a with a season-high nine rebounds to go with ten points. Halie Padgett was the third Buff who scored in double-digits and racked up 15 points while shooting 60 percent from the field.

Milligan dominated Truett McConnell on the glass Saturday afternoon with a +20 rebounding advantage 48-28.

The Buffs will return to the court Tuesday evening at Bluefield at 5:30 p.m. as they begin a streak of three consecutive road games.