Women’s Basketball defeats KCU 86-48

GRAYSON, Ky. (February 3, 2024) – The Milligan University women's basketball team outscored Kentucky Christian 27-7 in the opening quarter and never looked back on its way to an 86-48 road victory on Saturday afternoon.

The Buffs pick up a season sweep over the Knights and rise to 16-6 on the season and 13-3 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC). KCU falls to 4-18, 2-15 AAC.

Lauren Longmire, McKenna Myers and Madi Runnels each drained three-pointers to build an 18-4 lead in the game's first four minutes. Myers hit another three in the final minute of the period to give the Buffs a 27-7 edge after the first 10 minutes of play.

KCU whittled Milligan's lead to 14 (30-16) after three treys in the first minute of the second quarter but the Buffs scored the next seven points to lead 37-16 with six minutes left in the half. Milligan owned a 44-23 lead at the halftime break.

The Knights were able to work back within 14 (52-38) with three minutes left in the third quarter but the Buffs maintained a 58-39 edge going into the fourth quarter. The Buffs outscored KCU 26-8 in the fourth to walk away with their sixth road AAC win.

Halie Padgett scored seven points in the opening quarter and 15 in the second half to finish with 22 points. Runnels turned in a season-high 13 points to go with five rebounds, three steals and a block. Semaj Clark notched 12 points, six rebounds and four assists. Longmire finished with 12 points, nine rebounds and three assists.

The Buffs outrebounded KCU 37-20 and scored 18 second chance points. Milligan totaled five blocks and a dozen steals leading to 19 points off turnovers.

Milligan hosts Tennessee Wesleyan on Tuesday evening.