Milligan University's men's basketball team opened the MVNU Classic on Friday night at Ariel Arena in Mount Vernon, Ohio, falling 88-72 to host Mount Vernon Nazarene.
The Buffs started well. William Robinson opened the scoring on Milligan's first possession, and the Buffs led 9-8 early after baskets from Te'Jon McDaniel-McCormick, Jake Benham and Zack Turner. Mount Vernon Nazarene pulled away late in the first half with a 17-0 run, taking a 47-30 lead into the break. The Cougars scored 17 points off turnovers in the first half. Milligan had none.
Milligan fought back in the second half. Jackson Simmons caught fire late, hitting four three-pointers in just over two minutes to cut the deficit to 73-65 with 5:12 to play, but the Cougars held on down the stretch.
Simmons led the Buffs with 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including 6-of-9 from beyond the arc, with 15 of his points coming after halftime. Robinson posted a double-double with 13 points and 18 rebounds, eight of them on the offensive end, plus three blocks. McDaniel-McCormick added 14 points and a team-high eight assists, and Trent Clark provided seven points off the bench.
Milligan (1-3) shot 41.2 percent from the field and won the rebounding battle 39-38, but 19 turnovers turned into 30 Mount Vernon Nazarene points.
Next up, Milligan continues play at the MVNU Classic against Indiana University East on Saturday, Nov. 7. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. at Ariel Arena.
Source: Milligan University Athletics press release.