Women’s Basketball falls to Reinhardt in AAC Tournament final

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (February 26, 2022) – The Milligan University women's basketball fell in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament 72-57 to Reinhardt on Saturday afternoon at the MeadowView Convention Center.

Milligan falls to 25-8 on the year and Reinhardt rises to 20-13 and claims an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship field.

The Buffs opened the title game blazing offensively as Halie Padgett opened the game with a basket and Lauren Longmire and Kayla Romines drilled three-pointers to give Milligan an 8-0 lead in just over two minutes of action. Another Longmire three pushed the Buffs' advantage to double figures (18-10) and Milligan lead by as many as 11 (22-11) after two free throw by Jaycie Jenkins with 1:52 to play in the quarter. Reinhardt scored the final four points of the quarter as Milligan led 22-15 after 10 minutes of play.

The Buffs' offense stalled in the second quarter as Reinhardt opened the quarter on a 13-0 run. Longmire's jumper with 1:27 left in the quarter was the Buffs' only field goal of the quarter. In total, Reinhardt outscored Milligan 22-4 over the second quarter and led 37-26 at halftime.

Jenkins opened the second half with a three to make it an eight-point game (37-29) early in the third quarter, but the Eagles responded immediately and the Buffs got no closer in the period. Reinhardt led by 15 (53-38) late in the quarter and owned a 53-40 lead going into the fourth quarter.

The Buffs could not get closer than nine points in the fourth quarter and Reinhardt captured the AAC Tournament crown with a 72-57 victory.

Reinhardt shot 45.9 percent from the field, compared to 31.5 percent for Milligan. The Eagles turned 18 Milligan turnovers in 19 points and owned a 42-34 rebounding edge. The Eagles' Abi Haynes scored a game high 29 points and was named the AAC Tournament's Most Valuable Player.

The Buffs were paced by 16 points and 10 rebounds by Jenkins. Longmire had 13 points and four rebounds. Romines was three-of-seven from three on her way to 11 ponits. Padgett scored 11 points and collected seven rebounds.

The Buffs will learn their NAIA National Tournament fate on Thursday, March 3 at 7 p.m. when the NAIA reveals its national tournament field.