The Millikin men's basketball team lost to Plattsburgh State 71-68 on Dec. 29 at the Land of Magic Classic in Daytona Beach, Fla.

          Plattsburgh State led 39-28 at the half, but the Big Blue fought its way back in the game outscoring Plattsburgh State 40-32 in the second half.  Millikin had the lead five times in the games final six minutes with the last advantage coming at 64-63 with 3:16 left to play on a Deavis Johnson basketball.  The Cardinals then went on a 6-0 run to make it 69-64.  Tives Gardner pulled Millikin to within two at 69-67 with 33 seconds left to play.  After a Cardinals turnover, Millikin had a chance for the lead, but the Big Blue three point attempt with nine seconds remaining was off the mark

          Plattsburgh State shot 45 percent from the field with the Big Blue shooting 41 percent.  The Cardinals won the battle on the glass out rebounding Millikin 39-32.  Fouls were an issue for Millikin being called for 31 fouls.  Plattsburgh State was 26-40 (65 percent) from the free throw line.  The Cardinals outscored Millikin by 12 at the line with the Big Blue hitting 14-22 (64 percent).

          Tives Gardner led Millikin with 17 points and Jacob Kueker scored 16.  Kueker and Bryn Agnew each had a team high six rebounds.

          Shaver Fields led Plattsburgh State with 17 points Shamoy McIntosh added 15.

          Millikin is now 6-5 while Plattsburgh State improved to 5-2.

          The Big Blue opens College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) play on Saturday, Jan. 4 hosting #24 Wheaton College at 7 p.m.