JACKSON -- Freshman \#Janice Okeke\# grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds in addition to 11 points for her fourth career double-double and Millsaps survived a 13-4 run from Austin College over the game's final 4:37 to hang on for a Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference win on Friday night in the Hangar Dome, 49-47.
The victory for Millsaps tied its win total from a year ago and marked their sixth-straight at home dating back to last season. They improved to 7-5 overall and 3-1 in SCAC play, while dropping the visiting 'Roos to 6-6 and 2-2 in league action.
Austin College opened the game on a 14-7 spurt over the game's first 10 minutes, thanks to baskets from four different 'Roos, but hit just 2-of-9 shots to end the half in allowing Millsaps to end on a 15-6 run to take a 22-20 halftime advantage.
\#LaReina Adams'\# basket just before the halftime buzzer off a \#Cori Tucker\# assist gave the Majors a little momentum heading into the second period, as they opened the half scoring 12 of the first 18 points to stretch their lead out to eight, 34-26, with 12:16 left.
Despite shooting just 26 percent in the second period, Millsaps continued to lead by 6 to 10 points the ensuing seven minutes until AC put together one last furious run at the 5-minute mark to make the game close.
With Millsaps enjoying its largest lead of the game, 45-34, Katy Williams' layup with 4:37 remaining started a 10-1 run for AC and brought the game to within two at 46-44 with 1:52 left in regulation.
Adams' off-balance layup in the paint momentarily gave the home team a 4-point edge at 48-44 until Amber Stafford's 3-pointer from the right wing rattled in to cut the Majors' lead to one with 1:03 on the clock.
A turnover from Millsaps on the ensuing possession gave the 'Roos control of the basketball with 30.6 seconds left and a chance to take the lead late. But a wide-open missed layup from Courtney Johnson bounced off the front of the rim with 16 seconds left where the Majors' \#Olivia Coats\# was standing for the rebound.
The 'Roos had one last opportunity to tie or win the game on their final possession after one free throw from Millsaps but another missed layup from close range from Wiliams with 2 seconds left sealed a thrilling win for the Majors, 49-47.
Millsaps will continue league action on Sunday at 1 p.m. when they welcome Colorado College to town.
Game Notes:
• Crystal Dickerson picked up her 201st career assist (seventh all-time)
• Millsaps shot under 29 percent for the third-straight game (2-1)
• Millsaps has won six in-a-row at home (4-0 this season)
