Women’s Basketball outlasts Columbia (SC) 70-59

COLUMBIA, S.C. (January 5, 2023) – The Milligan University women's basketball team fended off a challenge by Columbia (S.C.) with a decisive fourth quarter effort to earn a 70-59 road victory on Thursday evening.

The Buffs moved to 11-4 on the season and 9-2 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) action. The Koalas threatened an AAC upset but fell to 3-7, 3-6 AAC.

After the Buffs outscored Columbia 16-11 in the first quarter, Milligan carried a 31-27 lead into halftime.

Early in the third quarter, a 7-0 run brought Milligan's lead to double-digits (42-32) with seven minutes to play in the period. Columbia rallied back to tie the game at 47 with three minutes left in the third and took a brief 49-48 lead. After the score was tied at 50 with a minute to play in the third, Aida Castell Munoz and Kristy Galea both scored in the final minute of the quarter to carry a 54-50 edge into the fourth quarter.

Columbia opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer to trim the margin to 54-53, and the margin was 60-57 midway through the final period. The Buffs closed the quarter with a 10-2 run and scored the game's final eight points as the Koalas were held without a point in the final four minutes of regulation.

Galea led Milligan with 14 points on five-of-seven shooting with four made free throws. Emma Harig posted 11 points and six rebounds in 15 minutes of action.

Kayla Romines had nine points while Lauren Longmire and Stacia Wilson both recorded eight points and eight rebounds.

The Buffs shot 46.7 percent from the field while Columbia shot 36.8 percent. Milligan owned a 41-36 edge on the glass and the Buffs' bench outscored Columbia's reserves 27-8.

Milligan travels to Brenau on Saturday.