JACKSON – In an exciting game that featured 14 lead changes and seven ties, it was Jessica Bowie's clutch jumper with 1:28 remaining and LaReina Adams' three free throws that gave Millsaps its final lead of the game as they held on to defeat Austin College at home 76-73 to stay alive for the fourth-and-final playoff spot in the SCAC Tournament.
Millsaps (6-16, 3-9 SCAC West) benefited from 48 percent shooting for the game and 35 bench points, led by Bowie with 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting and freshman Kristy Dowdy with 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Freshman Krista Clark added four.
The Majors scored eight of the final 10 points to end the first half and took a 5-point lead, 36-31, into intermission, holding the visiting 'Roos to 4-of-13 shooting from beyond the arc while forcing 11 turnovers.
The second half was back-and-forth and went right down to the wire, with Austin shooting 50 percent in the period and Millsaps connecting on 48 percent. The 'Roos, who hit just four 3s in the opening half, caught fire in the second, hitting 7-of-11 for 64 percent led by Amber Stafford with four en route to 16 second half points.
After Austin rallied from a 5-point deficit to tie the game at 71-71 with 1:49 left in regulation, Bowie knocked down a jumper off an assist from Crystal Dickerson to give Millsaps a 2-point lead that they would hold onto off late free throws from Adams.
Millsaps had four scorers reach double figures in the game, led by Bowie with 20, Adams with 13 and Dickerson and Dowdy with 11 apiece. Adams also grabbed a team-high 10 boards to record her fifth double-double of the year and second in as many games, while Dickerson picked up a career-high seven assists against just three turnovers.
Stafford notched a game-high 26 points to lead the 'Roos, followed by Katy Williams with 21 points and 14 rebounds and Kayla Redden with 11 points of a trio of 3-pointers.
With three games left on the conference slate, Millsaps will likely have to win 2 of 3 to have a shot at the fourth and final playoff spot in the West. They travel to Trinity University and Southwestern University this weekend before returning home for the season finale Feb. 23.
