In a repeat of last season’s game against Virginia Intermont, the women’s basketball team showed that they have hit their stride before heading into the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament.
The Lady Buffs faced VI on Saturday, who was 14-5 overall and 10-4 in the AAC. Milligan fell to VI 79-65 earlier in the season as well. The odds were definitely against the Buffaloes gaining a victory on Saturday night.
However, the Buffs came out strong early once again and controlled the tempo by jumping out to a quick 13-8 lead.
The offense played with a cohesiveness that they have not played with the entire year. The constant rotating in the offense and good cuts led to some early baskets for Milligan.
The man-to-man defense was really stepped up as well. Junior Ann Marie Gardner was one of the catalysts to the quick start.
In response to the game, Gardner said, “We knew if we did the little things well...and played great individual and great team defense that we would win.”
After the Buffs quick start, the Cobras tried to get back into the game by taking a 17-13 lead. The lead swung back and forth with Milligan leading at the half 33-29.
In the second half, with the game tied at 42, Milligan sophomore Elizabeth Henter made a pivotal three-point basket. Milligan, despite only shooting 8 of 23 from the field in the second half, saw their lead grow to as many as eight before finally winning 62-55.
On Tuesday the Lady Buffs suffered lost to Tennessee Wesleyan in Athens, Tenn. with a final score of 53-68. Junior Lacy York led the Buffs with 11 points. With this most recent lost, Milligan fell to 6-16 for the season and 5-9 in the AAC.
The Buffs host Bluefield tonight at 5:30 p.m. in the fieldhouse.