Milligan falls in tight nonconference matchup against Emory & Henry

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (January 2, 2022) – The Milligan University women's basketball team returned to action in the new year with a competitive nonconference contest against Emory & Henry on Sunday evening. The visiting Wasps came away with a 73-69 victory in a game that featured seven ties and 13 lead changes.

Milligan moves to 8-6 on the year while E&H rises to 5-7.

Five points by Halie Padgett powered Milligan to an early 7-0 lead through the game's first two minutes. An extended dry spell for the Buffs allowed E&H to trim the deficit to two at 9-7 and 11-9 in the final minutes of the first quarter.

The Wasps tied the game at 11 in the final minute of the first quarter, but Kayla Romines scored off a feed from Shayla Stewart in the last 10 seconds of the quarter to give the Buffs' a 13-11 edge heading into the second period.

Padgett opened the second quarter with a layup and Lauren Longmire went coast-to-coast for a layup following a steal to push Milligan's lead to 17-11 32 seconds into the frame. E&H scored nine of the next 12 points to bring the game even at 20 with 6:49 to play in the half.

Romines and Longmire drilled threes over the next three minutes of game time, but E&H responded after each one. A slim lead was exchanged back and fourth over the final two-and-a-half minutes of the first half, with Jaycie Jenkins pouring in seven points during the stretch. The teams hit the locker room deadlocked at 35.

Padgett, Jenkins and Longmire scored baskets on each of their first three trips down the floor to open the second half and build a 41-35 lead. E&H battled back to take a 47-46 lead with four minutes to play in the third, but Longmire responded with a three. The Wasps scored the final four points of the quarter to carry a 54-51 edge into the fourth quarter.

Romines tied the game at 58 with a three with 7:03 left in regulation. Emory & Henry quickly built its largest lead of the evening at 67-60 with four minutes left before a 9-0 run put Milligan ahead late.

Jenkins, Padgett and Madi Runnels each converted layups and Romines drilled a three with 1:40 to play to give Milligan a 69-67 lead.

In the final minute, E&J tied the game with an inside basket. Jenkins had a right elbow jumper rim out on the following possession and the Wasps converted a two-pointer to go ahead 71-69. A backcourt violation on the following trip and two free throws for E&H sealed the game for the visitors, 73-69.

Milligan had four players score in double digits on the evening. Jenkins led the way with 17 and seven rebounds. Padgett had 15 points and nine rebounds. Longmire had 12 points and six boards and Romines recorded 11 points and three assists.

The Buffs were plus-seven in rebounding margin (42-35) and had 16 second chance points.

Emma Santoro paced Emory & Henry with 22 points.

Milligan returns to action Saturday afternoon at Brenau.