Union Women’s Basketball Shows Fight in Loss to Milligan

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - Union Commonwealth University's women's basketball team (4-12, 3-6 AAC) fell to Milligan (10-6, 9-0 AAC) on Wednesday night at Robsion Arena, 44-63.

Senior guard Isis Rodgers led Union Commonwealth with 12 points, shooting 57% from the field and going a perfect mark from both beyond the arc and the free-throw line. She also contributed four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Sophomore guard Ella Coffey paced the Bulldogs on the glass with eight rebounds, while sophomore center Lindsey Pirkle added 11 points on 50% shooting from the field and a perfect performance at the free-throw line.

How It Happened

First Quarter: Union Commonwealth 9, Milligan 15

Union weathered an early run by Milligan, falling behind 9-1 as several close looks failed to drop in the opening minutes. The Buffs controlled the tempo and extended the lead to 12-4 midway through the quarter. Union found a late spark behind 3-pointers from freshman guard Aniyah Carter and Rodgers, cutting the deficit to five before heading into the second quarter trailing 15-9.

Second Quarter: Union Commonwealth 20, Milligan 31

Union opened the quarter with a surge, using back-to-back 3-pointers from Pirkle and Coffey to erase the deficit and pull even at 15-15. Rodgers followed with a basket to give Union its first lead of the game, capping an 8-0 run to start the period. Milligan responded with second-chance points to regain control and closed the half with a late scoring run, punctuated by a 3-pointer in the final minute, to take a 31-20 lead into halftime.

Third Quarter: Union Commonwealth 31, Milligan 47

Union Commonwealth stayed competitive early in the third quarter, with freshman forward Kylie Noe, Rodgers and Coffey keeping the Bulldogs within reach at 31-25. Milligan answered with timely baskets and free throws, closing the quarter on a 12-0 run to take a 47-31 lead into the fourth.

Fourth Quarter: Union Commonwealth 44, Milligan 63

Milligan pulled away early in the fourth, stretching the lead to 53-33 before Union could respond. The Bulldogs battled back with inside scoring and trips to the line by Rodgers and Pirkle, keeping Union within reach. Despite the late push, Milligan maintained control down the stretch, finishing the game with a 63-44 victory.

Click here to see the Baymont Inn Player of the Game.

Up Next

The Bulldogs will return home this Saturday, Jan. 10 to take on Columbia International University at 2:00p.m.