Milligan outguns Belhaven, 107-96

By Dallas Cook
STAR STAFF

   Though plagued with injuries already, the Milligan College Buffaloes didn't seem to let it bother them as they hosted Indiana Southeast University in their first home game of the season.
   With a win over Belhaven last week, the Buffaloes (2-1) put on a shooting fest as they defeated the Grenadiers (2-3) 107-96 Friday evening behind the outstanding play of seniors Lance Ashby and A.J. Hamler.
   "It was your typical early season kind of basketball game," said Milligan coach Tony Wallingford. "We just need to eliminate those slots of time where we didn't execute."
   Indiana University put up strong numbers in the first half as they held a 23-16 lead early behind the strong performance of junior Darryl Yarbrough. In the first half alone Yarbrough netted 10 points while Johnney Coomer, coming off the bench, tallied 12 in the half.
   Milligan tied things up at 23-23 with 10:20 remaining in the half as Hamler nailed one of his four three pointers for the game.
   The Buffaloes finally went ahead when James Schneider drove through the Grenadier defense to give his team a 25-23 lead.
   "They killed us on penetration," said Wallingford. "Fortunately we survived it because I encouraged the guys to be more aggressive."
   Milligan didn't stop there as Ashby continued with his three point dominance. In the first half Ashby totaled three tri-vectas to go along with his 16 points and giving the Buffaloes a 55-51 advantage.
   "It was great to get back out there and show what we can do," said Ashby. "People were anxious to see what we looked like from last year. We have a good group with good team chemistry."
   With the beginning of the second half just underway, Milligan kept the momentum in their favor as former Elizabethton Cyclone standout Michael Morrell kept the fans on their feet with a 19 point performance including 11 of those coming in the second half.
   "We played in spurts tonight," said Morrell. "We have to play better defense but overall we shot the ball well."
   The big basket of the half came when Morrell hit nothing but the bottom of the net with a three pointer at the 11 minute mark.
   "We executed our gameplan well," Morrell said. "We did pretty much what we wanted to do."
   Indiana University hung tough late in the game as they kept within seven points throughout the half with Romare Christian leading the way 10 points.
   The Buffaloes went on to get the win as four players had 10 or more points.
   For Milligan Ashby and Hamler both finished with 28 points as Morrell tallied 19 and Craig Emmert 13.
   "We have those guys on the floor alot," said Wallingford. "The mistakes that they did make were due to fatigue."
   Romare finished with 18 for Indiana University while teammates Brian Courtney (18 pts) and Yarbrough (17 pts) both added to the Grenadier cause.