Brett Seybert
Reporter
February 10, 2006
The Milligan College men’s basketball team halted its losing skid at eight games in thrilling fashion on Tuesday night with a victory against the visiting Appalachian Athletic Conference rival, Brevard College, by a final score of 72-69 at the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.
Brevard, mired in an 11-game winless slump of its own, falls to 4-23 overall, and 2-16 in the AAC. Milligan improves to 10-15 overall, and 4-12 in the conference with the victory.
The game promised to be tight from the beginning, and the first half ended in a 35-all deadlock.
Brevard came out screaming the second half and led by as many as 10 points in the latter period.
The Buffs bounced back, however, and a pair of free throws from junior Zach Dezarn put Milligan within one point with just 46 seconds remaining on the game clock.
The Tornados were able to use most of the 35 seconds allowed by the shot clock before Brevard’s Rayshaun Johnson missed a jumper that would give Milligan the opportunity they needed.
The rebound from Johnson’s shot fell into the hands of Milligan freshman Tino Washington, who looked up to find a wide-eyed Dezarn streaking down the middle of the court behind every Brevard defender.
With just nine seconds remaining in the game, Washington alertly delivered the pass and Dezarn gave Milligan the lead by converting on the lay up.
“I was just thinking that I wanted to put those two points in and take the lead,” Dezarn said.
Those two points were enough to give Milligan a 70-69 lead, and two free throws by Washington extended that score out to the final of 72-69.
Dezarn led all scorers in the game with 19 points.
Juniors Tony Brogan, Adrian Harrison, and Adam Hughes also contributed nicely at the offensive end, with 12, 11 and 11 points, respectively.
While the AAC regular season title may no longer be within reach for Milligan, the Buffs continue to take positives from each game as they prepare for the conference tournament that begins on Feb. 22 in Bristol, Tenn.
“It really is great to get a win and get some confidence to take with us into the tournament,” said freshman Jeff Barnes.
Barnes had seven points and six rebounds in this contest.
“Every win is important for placement in the tournament,” Dezarn said.
If the tournament were to begin today, Milligan would be the tenth seed and would square off against second-seeded Union in the first round.
The Buffs have four AAC games remaining in the regular season, in which wins would further improve their standing.