Women’s Basketball defeats Tennessee Wesleyan 70-68

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (November 22, 2022) – The Milligan University women's basketball defeated Tennessee Wesleyan 70-68 in a competitive Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) matchup in the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse on Tuesday evening.

The Buffs bounced back from their first AAC loss of the year to rise to 5-3, 3-1 AAC. Tennessee Wesleyan falls to 5-2, 4-2 AAC.

TWU owned a 19-15 lead in the final minute of the first quarter but a layup by Emma Harig and three-pointer by Semaj Clark flipped the score to 20-19 Buffs heading into the second quarter.

Milligan outscored TWU 19-10 in the second quarter as Kayla Romines drained three treys and Aida Castell Munoz made all three of her field goals for seven points. The Buffs outrebounded the Bulldogs 12-6 in the quarter and headed to halftime with a 39-29 edge.

The Buffs led by seven (49-42) midway through the third quarter but the Bulldogs continued to chip away as an 8-1 spurt brought the visitors within one (51-50) with a minute to play in the quarter. Kristy Galea converted a layup in the final second to push Milligan's lead to 53-50 heading into the fourth.

Romines and Lauren Longmire knocked down threes in the first minute of the fourth quarter to build Milligan's advantage to nine (59-50) and another Romines try gave the Buffs a 62-52 lead with eight minutes to go.

The Bulldogs worked back within one possession (65-63) after a basket with 2:37 remaining. The Bulldogs had an opportunity to tie the game or take the lead but Madi Runnels blocked a game-tying attempt and Longmire scored on the other end.

Trailing 68-65 in the final 15 seconds TWU had an open right-corner three that missed its mark and Runnels made two free throws to ice the game. The Bulldogs made a deep three as time expired but it only served to make the final score 70-68 rather than a five-point Milligan victory.

Romines made six threes on the evening on her way to a career high 20 points. It marks the third-straight game Milligan has had its leading scorer establish a career high. Stacia Wilson added 12 points and six rebounds. Longmire finished with 10 points and eight boards. Runnels led Milligan with nine rebounds and three blocks.

Milligan matched a season high with 12 made threes at a 37.5 percent clip.

Milligan travels to Truett McConnell next Wednesday.