Jenkins Stays Hot, Buffs Unable to Overcome Bethel in Season's Second Tilt

McKENZIE, Tenn. – On Friday afternoon in west Tennessee, the Milligan University women's basketball team took part in their second contest of the 2024-25 campaign on the first day of the Chamber of Commerce Classic against the Bethel University Wildcats in McKenzie, Tenn. In the end, the Buffs came up just short, falling 78-71. 

In the opening quarter, Milligan struggled, hitting only 5-of-13 (38.5%) in the frame. On the other side, Bethel connected on 10-of-17 (58.8%) shots from the field. The second quarter was almost an exact inverse of the first, as the Buffaloes were 7-of-14 (50%) shooting and the Wildcats went 7-of-20 (35%). Those tallies led to a 40-34 Milligan deficit at the intermission. 

Bethel trailed 12-10 in the opening stanza until a 13-3 run over the final 3:56 came to pass, which put them up 23-15 going into the second. The Wildcats extended their advantage to as many as 13 points at 38-25 with 5:37 to play in the half. Milligan would finish the period on a 9-2 run, however, to cut the advantage down to six points at 40-34. 

The Buffs posted the same percentage that they did in the first quarter in the penultimate period of play, hitting on 5-of-13 (38.5%) shots while Bethel shot 7-of-14 (50%). In the final period, both teams hit eight shots, but the Buffs made five free throws to hold a final-quarter advantage.  

Following the third quarter, Milligan was trailing 60-48, as they went into the final quarter needing a dominant fourth-quarter performance. Though they did maintain a five-point advantage in the period to cut down the deficit, it was not enough to erase the 12-point difference, as the Buffaloes fell 78-71 in the end.  

Jaycie Jenkins had another outstanding offensive day, scoring 33 points on a 11-of-18 shooting clip. She made four of her seven three-point attempts, as well. She is now averaging 35 points per game after two contests. Lauren Longmire's 17-point night came on a 7-of-15 shooting clip as she was the only other Buff with double-digit points scored. 

After Milligan's 27-assist night on Tuesday, the squad only had five in their loss to the Wildcats. Tessa Gibson led the team with two of them on the day. 

A trio of Milligan players had six rebounds, as Longmire, Semaj Clark and Lina Lyon teamed up to lead the squad. Kenzie Campbell had four rebounds, while Jenkins added three and Jenna Hare had two. 

Milligan had just two steals in the contest, both of which were recorded by Gibson. 

More basketball is on tap tomorrow, as the Lady Buffs will match up with No. 4-ranked Campbellsville University on Saturday at 3 p.m. looking to close out the Chamber of Commerce Classic in McKenzie, Tenn. on a high note.