MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (January 18, 2005) --- The Milligan College Buffaloes (11-8, 8-4 AAC) defeated Alice Lloyd (Ky.) College Eagles in Appalachian Athletic Conference basketball action by a score of 79-76 Tuesday evening at the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.

Both teams traded baskets early but Milligan pulled away as Alice Lloyd head coach Gary Gibson called a time out 8:30 into the contest and the Buffs had built a 19-8 lead. The Eagles clawed back until Milligan head coach Tony Wallingford called a time out to stop the Alice Lloyd run. The Milligan advantage had been cut to 19-13. The Buffaloes started to take control of the game behind a five point spurt from Yony Kifle with nine minutes left in the half.

Milligan held a 41-28 halftime advantage over the Eagles.

Alice Lloyd was not out of the contest as they battled back in the second half as Chris Hurt nailed back to back three point baskets to bring the Eagles within 11 points five minute into the second half.

The comeback was not done as Jeremy Jackson hit his own three point basket to make the score 57-50 in Milligan’s favor. Both teams traded 7-0 runs in the next few minutes of the contest.

Senior Shannon Akers brought Alice Lloyd back with clutch three point baskets as nine of his 11 points came in the second half with an important three point basket with 15.8 seconds left to make the game 79-69. Alice Lloyd fouled senior guard Jordan Simmons (Erwin, Tenn.) with 10 seconds left but Simmons could not finish off the Eagles as he missed both free throws. Alice Lloyd had time on the clock but was unable to have a clean look at a three point basket for the tie.

Senior forward Craig Emmert (Cass City, Mich.) led the Buffs and all scorers with 28 points. Milligan also had freshman guard Yony Kifle, senior forward Todd Davis (Corbin, Ky.) and sophomore guard Adam Hughes (Bluff City, Tenn.) in double-digits with 19 points for Kifle while Davis and Hughes each scored 10 points. Jeremy Jackson led Alice Lloyd with 17 points.

Next for Milligan is a home AAC contest against Tennessee Wesleyan College on Thursday January 20 as tip off is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. at the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse. The Buffs look to avenge an earlier lost as Tennessee Wesleyan beat Milligan 79-69 November 24 in Athens, Tenn.