Mandi Mooney
Editor-in-Chief
February 18, 2005
With the end of the regular season just around the
corner, the Milligan College men’s and women’s basketball teams each suffered
another loss against conference rival Bryan College.
In the women’s game, the Lady Buffs faced the No. 2 ranked Lady Lions. Bryan dominated the first half, going into halftime with a 37-26 lead over Milligan.
In the second half, the Lady Buffs revived themselves to come within three points, but Bryan again took control of the court to pull away from Milligan. The Lady Buffs tried once more to take the lead, coming within five points. Nevertheless, Milligan’s attempts were hampered by its lack of baskets in the last seven minutes. In the end, Bryan pulled further away, taking the victory 82-60.
“What lost the game for us was that we did not hit a single shot in the last five minutes of the game,” said sophomore Candace Shelton.
Milligan’s loss gave the women’s team a record of 8-21 in the season and 7-14 for the conference.
The Lady Buffs shot only 34 percent from the field with Bryan shooting 42 percent. Junior Kari Stout led the Lady Buffs with 14 points while senior Ann Marie Gardner contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds. For the Lady Lions, the Bass sisters, ? and ?, together contributed 32 points which was 39 percent of Bryan’s total score.
The Milligan men suffered through the same circumstances with Bryan taking the lead in the first half 43-25. The Buffs, led by senior Craig Emmert and freshman Yoni Kifle, came from behind to come close to capturing the win. With just minutes left in the game, Bryan hit a key three-point shot as well as three free throws to clench the win 81-77.
Emmert led the Buffs with 29 points, and Kifle added 22 points.
The loss brought the Buffs record for the season to 16-13 and 12-9 in the conference.
Milligan’s basketball teams finish off their regular season tomorrow night against conference opponent Covenant College (Ga.).
“The conference is a fresh start and gives us opportunities to show what we can do now that our whole team is back and playing again (after injuries and sickness),” Shelton said.