Women’s Basketball’s hot shooting continues in 74-60 win at Truett McConnell

CLEVELAND, Ga. (January 22, 2022) – The Milligan University women's basketball team used a fast start and hot outside shooting to pick up a 74-60 win at Truett McConnell on Saturday afternoon.

The Buffs, who played their first road game in over a month, rose to 12-6 on the season and 12-1 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) action. Truett McConnell fell to 11-10, 7-8 AAC.

Milligan scored on five of its first six offensive possessions to open the contest. Lauren Longmire led off the game with a three and Jaycie Jenkins capped opening salvo with a triple of her own to give the Buffs an early 12-4 lead just over three minutes into the contest.

Each of Milligan's final three baskets of the opening quarter were threes as Jenkins canned two more from deep and Erin Larkin got into the three-point action to extend the Milligan lead to 21-9 with 3:30 to play in the quarter. TMU scored the last four points of the quarter as the Buffs led 21-13 after 10 minutes of play.

The Bears trimmed Milligan's lead to five (25-20) three minutes into the second quarter, but Jenkins responded with six points in just over minute of game time. A 9-0 run with three made three-pointers by Truett McConnell trimmed the Buffs' lead to a single point (33-32) with under two minutes to play in the first half. Kristy Galea halted the TMU charge with in the final minute of the half with a three ball of her own and Lily Griffith drained another with 11 seconds to play in the half to give Milligan a 39-32 halftime edge.

Four minutes into the third quarter, the Bears had again reduced the Milligan lead to five (43-38) and again a barrage of threes helped the Buffs maintain their advantage. Galea converted two threes 38 seconds apart before Larkin made a pair of her own as the Buffs went on a 14-2 run to lead 57-40 with two minutes to play in the third. Milligan brought that 17-point lead into the fourth.

A six-point string for Milligan with baskets from Griffith, Halie Padgett and Jenkins grew the Buffs' lead to 22 (67-45) with six minutes to play in regulation. The Bears used a late push to get back within 13 (71-58) in the final minute, but Galea nailed Milligan's 12th three of the day to cap the contest.

Jenkins scored 19 of her game high 21 points in the first half, where she was eight-of-nine from the floor and made all three of her three-point attempts. Griffith finished with 17 points, her highest single game total since the season opener. Galea shot four-of-six from three and totaled 14 points, her highest output since returning from injury. Larkin matched her season high with nine points.

The Buffs knocked down a season high 12 three-pointers for the second straight game. The Buffs did not attempt a free throw until the final minutes of regulation. Milligan also owned a 39-27 rebounding edge.

Milligan hosts Reinhardt on Monday evening at 5:30 p.m.