Eagles Can't Overcome Big Deficit at Milligan (Tenn.)

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. – The Buffaloes of Milligan (Tenn.) were able to stampede out to a big lead and never look back after the cushion was just big enough to outlast Reinhardt in a Saturday afternoon battle inside Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play, 69-63.

The Eagles (4-12, 3-8 AAC) were able to fight their way back in the second half after falling behind by 22 points mid-way through the period, but ultimately came up short to drop their fourth-consecutive outing.

"Milligan is very disciplined, but our guys competed with a lot of heart in the second half," head coach Justin Newton said. "We just haven't put a full 40 minutes together yet, and we are learning and will continue to try and get better."

A 13-point deficit at halftime ballooned to more than 20 in a matter of minutes, but the efforts of Marcus Kirkland (20 points and nine rebounds) and Blake McIntyre (16 points) helped the hometown team inch closer over the final portion of the contest.

Individually off the bench, Dustin Ladson was also in double-digit scoring with 12 points and a couple steals and assists. Josh Daniels collected 8 rebounds, 4 points and 4 assists as well.

Reinhardt shot 39.3 percent from the floor and hit 10 treys, but only got to the free throw line seven times – with five makes. Conversely, the Buffaloes connected on just under 45 percent of its shots and made 13 attempts from 3-point land.

Milligan got to the charity stripe 25 times, but only made 12 shots.

The hosts had four of their seven active players hit double figures in the win.  

The conference road swing continues next week with a trip to Truett-McConnell (Ga.) on Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. 

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