Women’s Basketball surges past CIU 98-77

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (January 20, 2022) – The Milligan University women's basketball team avenged its lone Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) loss of the season with a 98-77 victory over Columbia International on Thursday evening in the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.

Milligan moves to 11-6 on the year and 11-1 in AAC play. CIU drops to 7-10, 5-7 AAC.

The first quarter saw neither team enjoy a lead of more than three points as the score was tied at seven, 13, 15 and 18. Neither team scored over the final 90 seconds of the quarter as the game was tied at 18 going into the second quarter.

Second quarter free throws helped Milligan build and extend its lead in the second quarter as the Buffs were nine-of-13 from the charity stripe in the quarter. After the Rams tied the game at 26, the Buffs knocked down five straight free throws and a layup by Kristy Galea pushed Milligan's lead to 33-26 with 4:40 to play in the half. After CIU trimmed the lead to three, Milligan closed the half with a 7-0 run to lead 44-34 at the break.

The third quarter saw the Buffs use the three-point shot to separate from CIU. Lily Griffith connected on an early three as part of another 7-0 Milligan spurt. Milligan's 58-51 lead with 3:32 to play in the third swelled to a 67-51 edge with 2:06 left in the third as Kaylee Hendrickson drilled three three-pointers and Kayla Romines knocked down one of her own. Milligan carried a 70-53 lead into the final period.

The Buffs' lead grew to 22 points (79-57) early in the fourth quarter after a Jenkins steal and layup. CIU worked back within 12 (86-74) with three minutes to go in regulation. Milligan closed the game on a 9-1 run with Hendrickson knocking down a deep three to punctuate the night.

The Buffs set season highs in points, threes made (12) and assists (22) in the victory.

Jenkins poured in 28 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and four steals. Halie Padgett had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Hendrickson posted a season high of 16 points and was four-of-four from deep. Romines scored 13 points and had five assists.

Milligan outrebounded CIU 49-33 and racked up 23 second chance points. The Buffs shot 50.8 percent from the field, 12-of-28 (42.9 percent from three) and 20-of-25 from the foul line.

Milligan travels to Truett McConnell on Saturday.