The Stampede

Issue date: 3/3/10 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Derek Smallwood Freshman Jaimee Hill takes the ball up the court.

Media Credit: Derek Smallwood Sophomore Samantha Blevins takes control of the ball and makes her way past opponent.

Media Credit: Derek Smallwood Junior Heather Mandela shoots a jump shot.

After defeating the Reinhardt Eagles 57-67 last Thursday, the Lady Buffs advanced to the AAC Tournament semifinals on Saturday.

"Tournaments are like starting over," Coach Rich Aubrey said.

The Lady Buffs lost 80-63 at home to the Tennessee Wesleyan Lady Bulldogs.

Sophomore Alisha Mainer led the Lady Buffs with 20 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two blocks. Junior Heather Mandela recorded another double-double, adding 17 points and 14 rebounds and freshman Ashley Price chipped in seven points and five rebounds off the bench before fouling out with 42 seconds left in the game.

Senior Katie Blevins led Wesleyan with 32 points, her career high, and was joined in double digits by senior Ragan Elliott, who had 17 and Amy Jo Castor, who had 13. Blevins also had a team high for assists.

Milligan shot 36.9 percent from the field for the game, 17.4 percent from behind the three-point line and 61 percent of their free throws. Tennessee Wesleyan shot 43.5 percent from the field, 44 percent of their three pointers and 82 percent of their free throws.

The Lady Buffs started the game strong, taking the lead with 4-0 after two minutes. They stretched the lead even further in the first, going up by eleven, 18-7, at the 10:33 mark. However, Wesleyan fought back, cutting the lead to one three times, the last time coming with two minutes remaining in the first half with the score at 30-29. Milligan was able to add a pair of free throws to put the halftime score at 32-29.

Milligan came out after half and stretched the lead again, pushing the score to 36-30 at the 18:20 mark. At the 13:50 mark, Milligan had a 44-39 lead. At the 10:26 mark, Blevins hit a three pointer, giving Wesleyan their first lead of the day 47-46. From there, Wesleyan went on an 18-3 run for the next 5:54 minutes, which included a technical foul call on Mandela, ending at the 4:30 mark with the Lady Bulldogs up 65-49.

The Lady Buffs were not able to reclaim the lead for the rest of the game. Wesleyan took 39 free throws in the game compared to 18 by Milligan. Wesleyan was charged with 16 personal fouls, while Milligan was assessed 23 including five on both Price and freshman Victoria Dailey, which fouled them out of the game.

Milligan improved 20-11 overall and was 11-5 in the AAC during the regular season.

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