Junior Emily Kiser scored 19 points, including 11 in the second half, to lead the Milligan College women’s basketball team past Bluefield College, 75-66, Thursday night inside Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.

The Buffaloes, who are receiving votes in the latest NAIA coaches top 25 poll, used a run at the end of the third quarter followed by a trio of made 3-pointers early in the fourth quarter to improve to 12-3 (10-1 AAC). They remained one and a half games back of No. 15 Bryan for the Appalachian Athletic Conference lead.

KISER’S SEASON HIGH HELPS LIFT BUFFS

Kiser’s 19 points came on 5-of-10 shooting, and she was 4-of-8 from the 3-point line. She made some of her biggest shots from the free throw line, going 5-for-6, all in the final 45 seconds to help Milligan seal the win.

One of Kiser’s biggest shots made from the field came on Milligan’s first possession of the fourth quarter, ultimately capping an 8-0 Milligan run with a triple from the wing to make it 50-42. Previously, Milligan had finished the third quarter on a 5-0 run after the game saw its 10th, and last, tie (42-42) with less than two minutes to go.

DAVIS, GOSE HIT BIG SHOTS IN FOURTH QUARTER

Kiser’s three to open the fourth quarter helped spark a sequence of three made 3-pointers in the first three minutes of the final period. Teal Davis followed with one from the same wing to make it 55-46, and Gose hit one from the opposite side to make it 58-46. From there, Milligan maintained a three-possession lead the rest of the way.

MILLIGAN LEADERS

After Kiser, Gose followed with 17 points on 6-for-11 shooting. Andi Lamb scored 12 points alongside five assists. Five other Buffs entered the scoring column, including Cassidy Anderson who had nine.

Milligan shot 48 percent from the field (25-52) and 47 percent from three (8-17).

FOR BLUEFIELD

Courtney Kendrick led all scorers with 24 points and added nine rebounds. Bluefield dropped its record to 8-9 (7-6 AAC).

UP NEXT

Milligan continues its current five-game homestand with an AAC matchup against Tennessee Wesleyan Saturday at 2 p.m. Next week, the Buffs host Columbia College Monday at 5:30 p.m. and Columbia International University Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in more AAC action.