JACKSON – Despite a career-high 22 points from senior
Cameron Varnado, including 14 in the first half, the Millsaps men’s basketball team dropped its season-opener in a hard fought game against undefeated Belhaven College, 84-69, Tuesday night.
The Majors, now 0-1 on the season, won the opening tip and scored the game’s first points when sophomore
Brian Merkel stole the ball at midcourt and passed to senior
Blake Martinez who made the easy layup for a 2-0 lead.
Belhaven responded quickly with back-to-back 3-pointers for a 6-2 advantage until Varnado found his range. Varnado scored the game’s next 10 points as the Majors built a 12-6 lead.
Midway through the opening half, Belhaven took control with a strong inside presence from junior Nathaniel Roche’, who used his 6-foot-8 frame to dominate the paint and finished with 15 points in the first half and 22 in the contest.
Belhaven added to its lead by driving hard to the basket and earning chances from the free throw line, where they converted on 14-of-21 chances as they closed out the half with a 43-36 lead.
Opening the second half, the Blazers’ Rob Wallace hit his third 3-pointer of the game as Belhaven scored the first five points of the half before sophomore
Ben Cooper got a perfect pass from Merkel and converted the easy basket for the Majors.
Varnado cut the Blazers’ lead to single digits for the final time at 53-44 with a 3-pointer from well behind the arc, but Belhaven quickly responded with a 3-pointer of its own.
The Blazers continued their sharp shooting from 3-point range as they opened up their largest lead at 68-49, and the Majors were never able to recover despite a valiant effort from Martinez, who scored 10 of his 14 points in the second half.
Belhaven held on for the remainder of regulation as it went on to win 84-69 to remain undefeated on the season at 5-0.
Millsaps struggled to find its rhythm on offense and shot only 38 percent (22-of-58) from the field and 29 percent (7-for-24) from behind the arc.
Belhaven held a 42-33 rebounding advantage over the Majors while both teams committed 14 turnovers.
The Majors will remain at home for their next contest against Pensacola Christian College Friday night at The Hangar Dome. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.