Women’s Basketball edged late by Bluefield

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (February 9, 2023) – The Milligan University women's basketball team was edged 78-72 by Bluefield at the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse on Thursday evening.

The Buffs fell 17-8 on the year and 15-6 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) action. Bluefield rose to 12-13, 12-10 AAC.

Milligan led 55-46 entering the fourth quarter, but the Rams put up 32 points in the period as Bluefield's Kylie Meadows scored 19 points herself to secure the win.

The fourth quarter began with three Bluefield baskets and three Milligan turnovers as the visitors crept with three (55-52) in the first two minutes of the period. The Rams tied the game at 59 with a three-pointer with 6:15 left in regulation. Kristy Galea responded with a clutch three of her own on the following possession to retake the lead.

A transition layup for Bluefield tied the contest at 62 with five minutes remaining. Two free throws by Lauren Longmire and three-pointer by Madi Runnels gave the Buffs a 68-62 edge with 3:42 left in regulation. The Rams scored the next six points to tie the game at 68 with two minutes to play.

After Bluefield took a 71-69 lead, Jaycie Jenkins canned a triple with 59 seconds left to give the Buffs a 72-70 edge. Meadows converted a three-point play to give the Rams a 73-72 lead. The Buffs missed on a close-range attempt before the Rams missed four free throws on the following possession. After a timeout, the Buffs were unable to attempt a go-ahead show in the final 15 seconds as the Milligan turned the ball over. Meadows cashed in on another late three-point play to seal the game for the visitors.

The Buffs raced out to an early 10-points advantage (15-5) in the opening five minutes as Semaj Clark, Galea and Kaylee Hendrickson drained three-pointers. The Rams closed the quarter on a 9-0 spurt to trim the Buffs' edge to 18-16 heading into the second quarter.

Bluefield tied the game at 18 and 20 in the early moments of the second quarter before the Buffs reeled off six-straight points, capped by a Runnels trey. The teams alternated scoring possessions over the final six minutes of the half and as Milligan carried a 34-29 lead into the break.

The Buffs maintained a three-possession cushion for most of the third quarter before the Rams crept back within four (46-42) with four minutes to play in the period. Hendrickson drained a three, Stacia Wilson blocked a shot on the defensive end and Jenkins reeled off four-straight points to put the Buffs ahead 53-42. Milligan took a nine-point lead (55-46) into the fourth quarter.

Jenkins led Milligan with a season high 18 points and 10 rebounds. Runnels had 10 points, five rebounds and three blocks. Kayla Romines recorded 10 points, four assists and three rebounds. Galea had nine points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Both teams made 28 field goals on the evening. The Buffs drained 10 three-pointers compared to four for Bluefield but the Rams made 12 more foul shots.

Milligan travels to St. Andrews on Saturday for a noon tip-off.