Women’s Basketball rallies past CIU in OT

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (November 8, 2022) – The Milligan University women's basketball team overcame a late six-point deficit and defeated Columbia International 72-69 in overtime in the Buffs' Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) opener in the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse on Tuesday evening.

The Buffs move to 2-2 on the year and 1-0 in league play. CIU suffered its first defeat of the season and now stands at 2-1, 1-1 AAC.

After leading by as many as 15 in the third quarter, Milligan found itself behind 517-51 with 3:18 remaining in regulation. Kayla Romines and Lauren Longmire drilled back-to-back threes to tie the game at 57 with 2:31 to go. Romines connected on another triple to give Milligan a 60-59 edge with under 90 seconds left. After CIU took a one-point lead (61-60) in the final 30 seconds, Stacia Wilson split a pair of free throws with two second remaining to force overtime.

In OT, Romines sank a three on Milligan's opening possession as the Buffs never trailed in the frame. Longmire, Kristy Galea and Semaj Clark all has baskets to build Milligan's lead to 70-62 with 2:45 to play in overtime. The Rams narrowed the margin to three in the final second sand had a shot to tie the game at the buzzer, but it was off-line.

The first half saw neither team get much separation as Milligan went to the halftime locker room leading 30-27. It was a 17-2 run in the third quarter that built Milligan's lead to 15 before CIU chipped away and eventually took the lead in the fourth before the Buffs' late rally.

Milligan, still playing without returning NAIA and WBCA All-American Jaycie Jenkins, was led in scoring by Romines with 18 points. She connected on 5-of-11 threes, had four rebounds, three assists and three steals on the night. Longmire had 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Galea had 12 points, seven assists and five boards. Wilson and Madi Runnels had seven points apiece.

The Buffs shot 11-of-34 from three while holding CIU to three-of-20 from beyond the arc. The game featured 10 ties and six lead changes.

Milligan travels to Emory & Henry for a nonconference matchup on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.