Photo Credit: Logan Sweitzer - - - Junior Alisha Mainer
Heather Mandela led the Milligan women’s basketball team to a hard-fought 60-56 win against Virginia Intermont on Wednesday at the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.
The senior center led the Lady Buffs in scoring with 20 points. She also pulled in 10 rebounds.
The win improves Milligan’s record to 7-4 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference and 19-8 overall.
“Tonight was definitely not an easy win,” Mandela said, “but it really helps us build confidence.”
Only four Lady Buffs scored in the first half, leaving Milligan behind 25-23 at halftime. Milligan took back the lead after the half, however, and held onto it to claim the low-scoring win.
Other players who scored for Milligan included junior Alisha Mainer with 12 points as well as freshman Kayla Kelly and junior Ashlee Price with seven each.
Milligan head coach Rich Aubrey says he is happy about tonight’s win but is also looking forward to tournament time.
“This win takes us one step closer to where we want to be,” Aubrey said. “We are looking to peak at the right time.”
Aubrey also commented on the importance of getting different types of wins.
“When we get in the tournament, we will play all types of games,” Aubrey said. “If we get in a tough situation where we are playing a low-scoring game, we can look back to this win for confidence.”
Mandela has high hopes for the end of this season.
“We not only want to finish the season strong,” Mandela said, “we want to win the tournament and make it to nationals.”
Milligan’s next game will be against Union College on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. in the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse. For more information on the women’s basketball team, visit www.milliganbuffs.com.
milliganstampede
