Milligan Women's Basketball Suffers Fourth Quarter Woes in Loss at Reinhardt

WALESKA, Ga. – The Milligan University women's basketball team hit the road this weekend to face the Reinhardt University Eagles in their fourth Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) tilt of the 2024-25 campaign. In a defensive battle, the Buffs had an exceptionally cold fourth quarter and fell 68-63. 

The Buffs began the battle with a respectable 8-of-18 quarter from the floor, hitting 2-of-5 from long distance, as well. That performance helped them build a modest 19-15 lead entering the second quarter. 

A difficult period from the field would follow, as Milligan hit only four shots in the quarter on 13 tries.  Reinhardt improved their output markedly, nailing 8-of-13 shooting and scoring an 18-13 advantage to stick the Buffaloes with a 33-32 deficit at the intermission. 

Much more crisp play was shown in the third quarter for Milligan, as they jumped back in front thanks to a 6-of-9 quarter from the floor. They rode a 19-15 score in the period to a three-point advantage with 10 minutes left to play in the contest. 

Unfortunately, the wheels fell off for the Buffs in the final stanza, as they only connected on four of their 18 attempts. Meanwhile, the Eagles had an electric fourth frame, scoring 20 points on an 8-of-13 shooting clip. In the end, that would make all the difference, as Milligan fell by a five-point margin, 68-63. 

A trio of Buffaloes had double-digit scoring outputs, as Jaycie Jenkins led the way with 15 points on 5-of-12 shooting. Lauren Longmire scored 13 points on 5-of-11 shootng in the loss, while Lina Lyon added 12 on a 5-of-8 clip. 

Jenna Hare and Longmire led the way with three assists, apiece. Jenkins added two as the remaining player with multiple dimes. 

Hare also led Milligan in rebounding, picking up eight backboards. Longmire added seven in the effort, while Semaj Clark picked up six. McKenna Myers nabbed five and Jenkins hauled in four. 

Jenkins had a pair of steals in the loss, while three other starters had takeaways. Myers, Clark and Lyon were responsible for those three. Longmire and Hare also had a block each. 

Milligan's season will continue on Tuesday, Nov. 26 on the road in Greyson, Ky. against Kentucky Christian University at 5:30 p.m., as they look to return to the win column.