Bulldogs rally from 24 down to shock Milligan

Published 10:15 pm Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Selma University’s Jabrea Stiggers dribbles the ball in a game Tuesday against Milligan College. The Bulldogs rallied from a 24-point halftime deficit to shock the Buffaloes, who appeared to have the game in control after a dominant first half.--Daniel Evans

Selma University’s Jabrea Stiggers dribbles the ball in a game Tuesday against Milligan College. The Bulldogs rallied from a 24-point halftime deficit to shock the Buffaloes, who appeared to have the game in control after a dominant first half.–Daniel Evans

The Selma University women’s basketball team rallied from a 24-point halftime deficit to shock Milligan College at the Jemison-Owens Gymnasium Tuesday night.

The Bulldogs trailed 44-20 at halftime but used two separate 11-0 runs in the second half to storm from behind against the Buffaloes.

“For whatever reason, we got our wakeup call after halftime,” Selma University head coach Ron Rembert said. “The team suggested that we press and I think they feel it is a strategy they can win with and one that can create easy opportunity for us because we were struggling in our halfcourt offense.”

Email newsletter signup

In the first half, Milligan made eight three point shots, resulting in their big lead at the half. But in the second half, Selma locked down the Buffaloes shooters and used a full-court press defense to add pressure.

“They can really shoot, but the press disrupted their offense and put their timing off a little bit and it didn’t give them as many open looks,” Rembert said.

The Bulldogs pulled within 44-31 following an 11-0 run to start the half, but Milligan settled down, building the lead and threatening to pull away.

Selma ramped the pressure back up, and when Jasmine Frazier finished a layup and got fouled to bring the Bulldogs within 61-56 the gym erupted with cheers. From there, Selma kept inching closer until Ashley Henley tied the game at 63 with under four minutes to play.

After a basket by both teams, the Bulldogs went into Frazier, who was fouled on back-to-back possessions.

Frazier, who scored 11 points in the game, made three out of four free throws to give Selma the lead 68-65. From there, the Bulldogs held on, with two layups and a couple of Buffaloes turnovers helping to put the game out of reach.