Longmire's Strong Night not Enough for Lady Buffs Basketball at Pikeville

PIKEVILLE, Ky. – On Wednesday night in the Bluegrass State, the Milligan University women's basketball team took part in their opening Appalachian Athletic Conference contest of the 2024-25 campaign, as they traveled to Pikeville. The Lady Buffs would fall to 1-4 on the season after a tough offensive second half pushed the Buffs to an 83-73 loss against the AAC's preseason favorite. 

The Buffs were in control for majority of the first quarter, even finding themselves up double-digits during the opening 10 minutes. Milligan would shoot 50% in the first quarter, making 11-22 from the field. Lauren Longmire was on fire in the period, and would lead the Lady Buffs in scoring during the first frame with 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting.

Quarter number two was similar to the first, except the Buffs would outdo their first quarter total of 23 by scoring 30 points in the second quarter, which assisted them in taking a 53-44 lead into the half. The Buffs shot 58% from the field in the second quarter, which included 4-of-8 from three. Longmire added six more points to head into the intermission with 16, while Jenna Hare would add in nine off the bench headed into the half.  

The Lady Buffs were unable to continue the efficient offensive attack in the third quarter, as they struggled from the field, failing to create any lasting momentum. Pikeville would shoot 61% from the field in the third, outscoring the Buffs 25-13 in the frame to take the 69-66 advantage into the fourth and final quarter of play.

The Lady Buffs were held to just seven points in the fourth quarter after a strong defensive effort from the Bears, leading to the 10-point loss, 83-73.

The scoring for the Lady Buffs was led by Longmire who finished with 16 points (all in the first half) and 11 rebounds. Jaycie Jenkins and Semaj Clark would both chip in with 12 points of their own.

Both Longmire and Clark had double-doubles in the loss, as Longmire had 11 rebounds and Clark had 10.

Longmire also had six assists in the contest, stuffing the stat sheet in all facets.

Milligan will be back in action on Saturday, Nov. 16, as they will play host to Truett-McConnell in what will be the AAC home opener at Steve Lacy Fieldhouse in 2024-25. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.