JACKSON -- Austin College built a 15-point halftime lead thanks to 62 percent shooting but had to hold off a pair of late runs from Millsaps over the game's final 12 minutes to escape with a 2-point win on Friday night in the Hangar Dome by a 68-66 score.

Austin College (8-4, 3-1 SCAC) got two great performances from Kola Alade and Kyle Lintelman, who both scored 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, in addition to 12 points from Chris Sturtevant and two go-ahead free throws from Spencer Burke with 5.8 seconds left.

In a game filled with scoring runs from both sides, Austin College opened the game on a 13-4 spurt to take control of the game early before the Majors battled back with a 10-2 run to pull to within one at the 12:19 mark.  After exchanging buckets the ensuing 4 minutes, the 'Roos knocked down nine of their final 15 shots in the half to open a 1-point lead into a 15 point cushion at the break.

Millsaps (2-10, 0-4 SCAC) made just seven first half field goals en route to 28 percent shooting in the period, while Austin College knocked down 16-of-26 attempts, including six 3-pointers.

A 3-pointer from Chris Sanders on the Majors' second possession of the second half looked to be just what the home team needed to get back into the game, until AC's Alade responded with a layup and back-to-back 3-pointers of his own to cap a 10-4 run and give the 'Roos their largest lead of the game at 52-34 with just over 16 minutes to play.

Millsaps responded with its best run of the day after falling behind by 18, going on a 17-3 run over the next 7:14 to pull within 55-51, thanks to hustle plays from junior Cameron Varnado and bench contributions from freshmen Ben Cooper and Jason O'Rear.

After leading just once in the first half for a total of 16 seconds, the Majors clawed their way back to a 1-point lead off Blake Martinez's 3-pointer from the far right wing with 5:51 to play.

A back-and-forth battle ensued the game's final six minutes, with the teams exchanging six leads and tying it up at 66-66 with 3:36 left for a final time. 

After a scoreless 3:31 where the Majors and 'Roos combined to go 0-for-7 from the floor, Millsaps was whistled for a foul with 5.8 seconds left that sent Burke to the free throw line.  Burke calmly knocked down both shots to give the 'Roos the 68-66 win.

Millsaps will host Colorado College at 11 a.m. on Sunday to close out a 2-game conference weekend before hosting the University of Dallas on Tuesday in a non-conference affair.

Game Notes:
• Millsaps dropped to 0-5 in games decided by five points or less
• Millsaps attempted 19 more free throws in the game (32-13)
• Millsaps committed a season-low nine turnovers