MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (December 4, 2004) --- The Milligan College Buffaloes (7-2, 4-1 AAC) defeated Appalachian Athletic Conference rival Virginia Intermont College (0-9, 0-5 AAC) by a 73-67 margin Saturday evening at the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.

The Buffaloes jumped ahead of the Cobras early as they built a lead of as many as eight points in the first half. Virginia Intermont did not roll over, as they climbed back as close as one point with just under four minutes to go in the half. 

Freshman guard Anthony Wilhelm (Petoskey, Mich.) nailed a three point basket for the Buffs to push the lead back to 33-27 with 1:31 left in the first half. Both teams traded late baskets as Milligan took a 37-32 lead into the locker room.

Wilhelm struck again early in the second half with five straight points to open the half to push the Buffs’ lead 42-32.

Chris Wise slammed VI back into the game with a dunk with 4:32 left in the contest to close the gap to Milligan leading 60-55, followed by another Buffalo stampede of six points to make it 66-55. The Cobras took some momentum as Jason Southworth drained a three point basket from the corner with 2:30 left to make it 66-58.

VI made one more attempt to overtake Milligan, as the Cobras were down by four points, 67-63 with 46 seconds left. Milligan would add six points from the free throw line as the Cobras fell short of the victory 73-67 was the final score.

Harvey Bell (Spartanburg, S.C.) and Anthony Wilhelm each scored a game high of 19 points for the Buffs.

Next for the Buffaloes is another home AAC contest as Bluefield (Va.) College visits the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse on Tuesday December 7 for a 7:30 tip-off.