Women’s Basketball storms back to take down KCU 83-71

GRAYSON, Ky. (February 6, 2022) – The Milligan University women's basketball team trailed for much of the afternoon but used a second half rally to overcome a 13-point deficit to defeat Kentucky Christian 83-71 on Sunday.

Milligan rises to 16-7 on the year and 16-2 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play. KCU falls to 13-8, 9-7 AAC.

A back-and-forth first quarter saw Milligan lead by four early (6-2) but KCU battled back to take a 9-8 lead with five minuets to play in the period. A three by Kaylee Hendrickson with 3:52 to play in the first gave the Buffs their final lead of the quarter (13-12) as the Knights scored on the following two possessions and closed the quarter on a 9-2 spurt to lead 21-15 after 10 minutes.

KCU scored the first six points of the second quarter to grow its lead to a dozen (27-15) just over a minute into the second quarter. Threes by Kayla Romines, Hendrickson and Kristy Galea cut the deficit to 37-35 with three minutes remaining in the half. KCU scored the final six points of the quarter over the last 2:18 to carry a 43-35 edge into halftime.

The Knights' lead swelled to 50-37 with 8:32 to play in the third before the Buffs began their comeback bid. Romines drilled a three, Halie Padgett made a pair of layups, Lauren Longmire added a basket and Galea connected from deep to whittle the margin to three (52-49) with just under five minutes to play in the third.

A three-point play by Longmire tied the game at 52 with 4:05 left in the period. Jaycie Jenkins gave the Buffs their first lead since the first quarter at 55-54 with 1:31 remaining in the third. After four-straight points by KCU, Jenkins put in the final basket of the half as the Knights led 58-57 after three quarters.

After KCU took a 62-57 lead in the first minutes of the fourth quarter, Romines reeled off Milligan's next eight points. Her three with 7:30 to play gave the Buffs a 65-64 lead. Threes from Longmire and Galea put an exclamation point on a 14-0 run that put Milligan ahead 74-64 with four minutes left.

KCU worked back to a six-point game (75-69), but Milligan made eight consecutive free throws in the final 90 seconds to secure the win.

Romines matched a career high with 16 points as she shot four-of-seven from three. Jenkins had 15 points and five rebounds. Galea racked up 15 points with seven rebounds and two assists. Longmire recorded 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Padgett scored 12 points and had five rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

Milligan shot 10-of-28 (35.7 percent) from three and owned a plus-four (45-41) edge in rebounding. The Buffs' bench outscored KCU's 23-6.

The Buffs travel to Reinhardt for another important AAC matchup on Tuesday evening.