MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (December 11, 2004) --- The Milligan College (8-3, 5-2 AAC) Buffaloes basketball team defeated the University Virginia of Wise (2-11, 2-5 AAC) 66-45 in an Appalachian Athletic Conference match-up Saturday evening at the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse. 

Milligan took the lead over the Cavaliers early and did not look back as the Buffs were ahead 36-12 at halftime. The Buffs held the Cavs to 13 pct. (3-23) while Milligan came out in the first half to shoot 52 pct. (13-25) in the first half to help establish their 24 point lead.

UVa.-Wise tried to battle back in the second half as they went on a 14-6 run over the first four minutes of the half to close the margin down to 42-26.

After both teams traded baskets, Milligan went on an 8-0 run to end the game to set up the final score of 66-45.

“It was a good hard fought win tonight, as we played both halves of the floor hard,” said Milligan head coach Tony Wallingford, “Wise is a good team that did not play well tonight, but we expect another hard fought game when we go to Wise.”

Leading the way for the Buffs in the victory was freshman forward Harvey Bell (Spartanburg, S.C.) and freshman guard Anthony Wilhelm (Petoskey, Mich.) as both scored a game high of 17 points. Senior forward Craig Emmert (Cass City, Mich.) also scored in double-digits for Milligan with 11 points.

Blake Mellinger scored a team high of 12 points for the Cavaliers.

Milligan out shot UVa.-Wise 45.7 pct (21-46) to 27.5 pct. (14-51) in the contest while the Buffs out rebounded Wise 42-23 in the win.

Next for the Buffaloes is a trip to play Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C. next Saturday evening with a 7:00 p.m. tip off.