Slow start dooms Women’s Basketball in conference semifinal

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (March 1, 2024) – The Milligan University women's basketball team had its Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament run end with a 76-60 defeat to (RV) Reinhardt at the MeadowView Marriott on Friday evening.

Milligan falls to 23-7 on the year while Reinhardt moves to 26-2.

The Buffs were limited to just one field goal over the game's first six minutes as Reinhardt built a 17-2 lead. The Eagles led by as many as 16 (24-8) in the first three minutes of the second quarter before Milligan's offense came alive.

Semaj Clark drained a pair of threes in a 7-0 run that cut the deficit to eight (31-23) with three minutes left in the half. Reinhardt closed the quarter on an 8-2 run to lead 39-25 at the half.

Milligan scored the first six points of the third quarter to bring the score to 39-31. Back-to-back treys by Jaycie Jenkins brought the deficit to six (48-42) with 4:31 left in the quarter. The Eagles responded by scoring the next nine points and held a 59-46 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Reinhardt led by double-digits the entire fourth quarter and advanced to the conference tournament final with a 76-60 win.

Jenkins had 14 points and Clark had 10. McKenna Myers and Jenna Hare each had nine points. Hare added six rebounds and four assists.