Clark Achieves Triple-Double as Buffs Women's Basketball Glides to Win over Union Commonwealth

MILLIGAN, Tenn. – On Wednesday evening inside Steve Lacy Fieldhouse, the Milligan University women's basketball squad returned to the hardwood after an eight-day hiatus. The Buffs battled with the Union Commonwealth University Bulldogs and continued their winning ways in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC), behind a triple-double performance from Semaj Clark, with an 85-58 victory.

The opening quarter was one of dominance for the Buffaloes, as they held UCU to just four made baskets and nine total points. On the other end, they did not shoot the lights out but were able to put up 21 points on their 21 attempted shots.

A 21-9 score advantage that Milligan held entering the second period would prove important. The Bulldogs came away with a 19-17 edge over the course of the second set of 10 minutes, holding a 7-0 advantage at the free-throw stripe as the main contributor. Milligan shot the ball better than Union in the period, knocking down 8-of-17 in comparison with the 5-of-13 clip that the visitors produced. The Buffaloes held a 10-point, 38-28, lead at the break.

Union Commonwealth put forth their best effort of the evening in the third quarter from a pure shooting standpoint, connecting on 8-of-16 from the floor, including a pair of three-point shots. Milligan countered with an outstanding quarter of their own, knocking down 9-of-17 from the field. They held a slim 20-18 lead over the course of the third, taking a 58-46 advantage into the final frame.

The Buffs saved their best for last, scorching the net by making 13 field goals on 22 shot attempts. Their 27-point quarter helped them pull away from the Bulldogs—who scored just 12 points in the period—en route to an 85-58 final tally.

Jaycie Jenkins ended up leading Milligan in scoring with 23 points on an efficient 11-of-18 from the field. McKenna Myers had 13 points on a 5-of-9 night, including a 3-of-5 clip from distance. Lauren Longmire's 12 points on a 5-of-12 conversion rate were good for third-best on the squad, while the two remaining starters, Lina Lyon (5-of-7) and Clark (5-of-10) scored 10, apiece.

Clark's 10-assist night was achieved early in the fourth quarter, as she was a table-setter all game. Longmire also had an impressive night as a distributor, passing out six dimes. Lyon and Naomi Atchley added three assists each, as well.

Clark snatched her final two of her 10 boards with just over two minutes yet to be played, as she led the squad in the category. Atchley posted the next highest total, with seven. Longmire and Lyon contributed three, apiece.

It was not just the triple-double categories that Clark was active in, as she tallied five steals to lead Milligan in the win. Jenkins, Myers and Lyon each provided two steals to the effort, while steals from Longmire, Atchley and Kenzie Campbell rounded out the list. Myers was credited with the team's lone blocked shot of the contest.

The triple-double that Clark posted in the win, with 10 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds, was the first of its kind since 2019. Mackenzie Raizor posted a 14 point, 16 rebound, 10 block triple-double on that occasion.

With the win getting them to a .500 winning percentage (5-5, 4-2 AAC) on the year, the final home battle of the 2024 portion of the Lady Buffs' schedule will occur inside Steve Lacy Fieldhouse this Saturday, Dec. 7 at 12 p.m. against the Lions of Bryan College.