JACKSON - The Millsaps Majors Women's Basketball Team tipped things off Friday evening at The Hangar Dome against NAIA foe Blue Mountain College. Led by freshman Velvet Johnson's 26 points along with a 20 point, seven assist night from Shatoya White, the Majors cruised to a 99-85 victory over the Toppers.
Blue Mountain came out racing early on as they jumped to a 20-12 lead just five minutes into the game. The Majors responded back with a 12-2 run to grab the lead with 13 minutes remaining in the first half. Both teams battled back and forth in a high pace first half thanks to a full court press by the Toppers. The first half saw 10 lead changes and six ties.
With the Majors down three in with three minutes remaining in the half, freshman Samantha Perez went in strong for a layup to cut the deficit to one, before coming up with two consecutive steals and layups to put Millsaps up by three in a blink of an eye. That sparked the Majors to a 17-4 run to end the half and give Millsaps a 57-47 lead. Johnson led all scorers in the first half with 12 points.
Blue Mountain did not go down easily in the second half as they rallied to make it a three point game early in the second half before rallying again to make it a four point game. However, it was not enough as Millsaps cruised to the 99-85 win.
Five Majors finished with double digit points. Joining Johnson and White were freshmen Natasha Mbenza with 11 points, Brittnei Earl with 10 points, and Perez with 10 points. Nine different Majors scored on the first game of the season. As a team, Millsaps shot a scorching 54% from the field.
The Majors were without a major role on their team as senior Janice Okeke, last year's conference leader in rebounds, was out with a sprained wrist. She is expected to return for the first conference weekend in December. Junior Shante Morton led the Majors defensively with 12 rebounds.
With the win, the Majors improve to 1-0 on the season. They will take on Louisiana College in the Championship Game of the Sleep Inn Downtown Jackson Tip Off Tournament. The Wildcats defeated LaGrange College 94-87 in overtime.
