The men’s basketball team suffered a tough overtime loss to Virginia Intermont Saturday 84-77, giving way a 15-point lead in the second half.
“We came into the game, planning to attempt to neutralize (VI’s) athleticism with solid defense and rebounding,” coach Tony Wallingford said. “We wanted to maintain a push with patient offense, to fast breaks when we can run a solid offense.”
With thirty seconds left in regulation play, Milligan was facing a 71-68 deficit. After a missed free throw from VI, the Buffs rebounded and drove the ball down the court, finding junior Eric Coggins wide open for a three to tie it with 2.3 seconds remaining in the game.
In overtime, senior Jonathan Harris, who led all Buff scorers with 18 points, kept Milligan within three points of the Cobras. By committing three turnovers, including a technical when a timeout was called by the Buffs when they had none left, VI went on to clinch the game by shooting almost perfect behind the free-throw line.
Milligan lost to Tennessee Wesleyan Tuesday night 68-73. Even with a loss, the Buffs had three players score double digits. Harris led the team with 21 points, junior Craig Emmert added 18 and junior Eric Coggins made a total of four three-point shots to score 12 points. This put the men’s record at 10-11 for the season and 9-5 in the AAC. They host Bluefield tonight and King on Saturday, both games beginning at 7:30 p.m.