Buffs open season in style

Milligan College, Tenn. (Nov. 3, 2007) --- The Milligan College men's basketball team began their 2007-08 campaign with a victory Saturday afternoon over Tennessee Temple University, 81-68. 

The Buffs started out slow, keeping Tennessee Temple in the game, but midway through the first half Milligan started to extend their lead. With just seconds left in the first half, the Crusaders Vic Taylor nailed a three point shot to cut the Buffs lead from 16 to 13. As the horn sounded, the first half score stood 46-33. 

Milligan came out of the gate hot in the second half adding to their thirteen point lead. With 15:02 remaining in the game, a three point basket from senior Joe Brown (Blountville, Tenn.) off an assist from senior point guard Yony Kifle (Alexandria, Va.) gave the Buffs their biggest lead of the afternoon, 19. 

Nearing the five minute mark the Crusaders cut the Buffs lead to eight.  Milligan would regroup and finish off the Crusaders with the final of 81-68.

The Buffs had a good day in the field, going 34 of 61 for a shooting percentage of 55.7. Leading all players in points was junior Jeff Barnes (Franklin, Tenn.) with 24. Barnes also shared the lead in rebounds with fellow junior Tyler Estepp (Limestone, Tenn.) with seven. Sophomore Danny McKeehan (Morrow, OH) had 19 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Buffs. 

“The guys played hard today,” said Milligan College Head Coach Tony Wallingford. “The first game is always a tough one. We would play well in spurts, and then make some mistakes which let (Tenn. Temple) back into the game, but overall it was a good first effort.”

The Buffs travel to Knoxville, Tenn., to take on Johnson Bible College on Tuesday, Nov. 6; tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.