Men's Basketball Fall Late to Milligan

ATHENS, Tenn.- The men's basketball team played their first Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) game of the 2025 year on Tuesday. The team fell in a close battle to the Milligan University Buffaloes 75-71. 

TWU started strong, with Amauri Young setting the tone by scoring the opening basket with a jump shot. The Bulldogs showed defensive intensity early, with rebounds from Armando Cuardado and Ty Hurst keeping the game competitive. Kariden Hardrick added to the offense with back-to-back jump shots that tied the score at 6-6. As the first half progressed, TWU relied on strong contributions from Jay Reed and Peyton West, with West providing assists that led to crucial baskets. The Bulldogs were down three point at halftime, trailing Milligan 41-38, thanks to their persistence and defensive rebounding.

TWU came out firing in the second half, quickly tying the game at 41 with a three-pointer from Young. The Bulldogs took the lead with a jumper by Reed and baskets by Hurst and Young helped the team move ahead 49-43. After Milligan had battled back to cut the lead down to one, Charles Neverdon and Ty Runyan scored consecutively to help the team move back ahead 61-53. A late surge by Milligan helped them take the lead, 71-68. On the next possession, Neverdon hit a three-pointer on a Cuardado offensive rebound with 16 seconds left to tie the game at 71-71, assisted by Young. Unfortunately, Milligan scored in the last moments and sealed their victory with free throws.

Young and Neverdon both finished with 16 points in the game.

Tennessee Wesleyan (3-9, 2-5 AAC) return to action on Thursday when they host the other Bulldogs of the AAC, Union College, at 4:00 p.m.