A strong first half and large advantage early in the second half looked promising for the Millsaps Majors on Sun. Jan. 22, but the Rose-Hulman Engineers fought back, picking up their fifth conference win.
The Majors were dominant initially in the contest, holding their SCAC opponent to 36 percent shooting, as the Majors shot 55.6 percent from the three-point line. The team as a whole seemed to be playing cohesively as Tyler Warren, Rodney Rogan, Lorenzo Bailey, and Allen Odum all scored in the opening minutes.
At the half, the Majors held a decisive lead, 31-20.
The second half was a different story for Millsaps. The Majors took an early 16 point advantage, and fans looked forward to the easy win. Rose-Hulman, however, was not ready to lose. The Engineers slowly cut the Majors lead down to one by the 7:37 mark in the second.
As the game drew to a close, the Engineers took a one point advantage with just 35 seconds left to play. After fouling Millsaps player Edrick Montgomery and the ensuing successful foul shots, the Majors once again held the lead, 61-60. Rose-Hulman, however, quickly drove the court, scoring on a lay-up by Munchie Musketvalley. Millsaps point guard Allen Odum, took the ball to the rim on the other end of the court, but the clock expired before the Majors could score.
The 62-61 loss brings the Majors record to 9-8 (3-4). The Majors have a few days to recuperate before facing SCAC rival Oglethorpe on Jan. 28 here in the Hanger Dome.