Buffs edge Bryan

by Doug Fritz
Johnson City Press

MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TENN. (Jan. 9, 2008) --- Tied with a little over a minute left, Milligan College's basketball team made a quick trip to a fast food restaurant — sort of — and Jeff Barnes served up a winner.

Using a play called “Burger King,” Milligan fed the ball to their standout post player and he scored with 1:14 left. That gave the Buffaloes a lead they did not relinquish in a 74-72 decision over Bryan College on Wednesday night at Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.

Milligan (13-2 overall) improved to 4-1 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference, remaining in a first-place tie with Bluefield College.

The Buffs led 63-52 with just under seven minutes left in the game, but Bryan knocked down big shot after big shot and eventually surged ahead on Mike Lytle's 3-pointer with 2:43 to go.

However, Milligan answered in transition, getting a bucket and a free throw from Barnes to make it 68-67. Barnes later added a free throw with 2:04 left to tie the game at 69-69.

After a defensive stand forced a shot-clock-rushed airball from Bryan, the Buffaloes went to their special recipe.

“We wanted to get a touch in there, and we were able to get good execution,” said Milligan head coach Tony Wallingford.

Barnes said all five players made the play work.

“I just think it was a whole team effort,” said Barnes, who sealed off his defender and received the ball in the middle of the lane for the easy bucket. “We always try to execute to perfection and do what we can do to come up with a basket. The feed was perfect and everyone played their spots, so nobody was able to cheat in there.”

The game wasn't over at that point, but a defensive play by Davis Warner pretty much sealed the outcome. Warner plucked the ball away at midcourt and raced in for the layup. He was fouled from behind and it was ruled to be intentional.

“It was good anticipation and he made a play,” said Wallingford. “He was aggressive and we complimented him on that. That play was huge.”

Warner made one of two free throws with 59.3 seconds left, and then added two more free tosses on the ensuing possession to make it 74-69 with 27 seconds left in the game.

Damond Craig knocked down a trey with 3.2 seconds left, but Milligan nicely executed its in-bounds play and ran the clock out.

Barnes stepped up with a big effort, totaling 23 points and five rebounds. He played nearly the whole game, totaling 35 minutes.

“We've got to work on getting him some rest,” said Wallingford. “But he's a real competitor.”

Warner finished with 12 points for the Buffs while Derrick Nave added 11 and Danny McKeehan totaled 10.

Lytle had a big all-around game for the Lions, finishing with seven points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists. Lamarr Shorts totaled 19 points on 9 of 11 shooting from the field. Craig finished with 17 points and five assists.