Buffs Tough on Cavs in First Half, Go on for Men’s Hoops Win

January 13, 2007
Game Stats

Milligan College, TN – The Buffs scored the game’s first dozen points and led by 14 at half before taking the men’s basketball contest over the Highland Cavaliers. UVA-Wise could get no closer than eight points in the second half to fall to Milligan College, 57-45.

Sophomore forward Zydrunas Rackauskas finished as the only UVA-Wise (5-14/2-6 Appalachian Athletic Conference) double figure scorer with 10 points. He also led with eight boards. Pance Kecev and Jarred Soles added seven points apiece. The Cavs shot just 27.5% (14 of 51) for the game.

Zach Dezarn and Tyler Estepp led the winning Milligan (13-5/6-2 AAC) effort with 16 and 15 tallies. Jeff Barnes claimed 12 boards while scoring nine points.

The Buffs dominated in the early going by putting up the first 12 points of the night. The Cavs battled back with the next seven points, 12-7, capped by two Rackauskas free throws. Milligan outscored the visitors 19-10 the last 10 minutes of the half for a 31-17 lead at intermission.

After two opening Buffs’ baskets, the Cavs pulled to within eight, 36-28, but would not be able to get any closer. Milligan fended off any further UVA-Wise comeback efforts for the 57-45 league win.

The Cavs return home to Greear Gym for a 7:30 p.m. contest again Union College Tuesday night.