SHERMAN, Texas - The Millsaps women's basketball team defeated the Austin College 'Roos 58-54.

The Majors (12-12, 8-7 SCAC) played a close game all night. In fact, no team led the game by more than nine points from start to finish. The Majors got on the board first with a jumper from Shante Morton. That lead was pushed as high as five on a Kristin Salmon three pointer four minutes later, but the 'Roos took the lead with 11:50 remaining in the first half and did not relinquish it for the remainder of the period. The Majors never allowed Austin to pull more than six points ahead during the stretch and cut the lead down to one, 27-28, on Lovie Love jumper with seven seconds left to end the half.

Millsaps took the lead after Kersti Marusich turned the ball over on the first possession of the half, allowing Shante Morton to lay in the easy bucket on the resulting breakaway. They would not surrender the lead again. The Major lead climbed as high as nine, 43-34, with 14:16 remaining but could not put the game away.

Fortunately, the Majors hit 12-of-14 from the free throw line down the stretch to maintain the narrow margin to the end of the game. The Majors' last field goal came with 11:48 remaining off a Shante Morton three pointer. The score was 46-39 Majors. Free throw shooting kept the 'Roos from getting no closer than four the rest of the way.

Lovie Love led all scorers with 20 points on the night. Shatoya White pulled in a game-high 10 rebounds, including seven defensive. Kristin Salmon added 17 points and Shante Morton had 16 to round out those in double figures. Erin Riley led the 'Roos with 15.

The Majors will close out the regular season on Sunday afternoon with the Colorado College Tigers at noon in Colorado Springs. A win will guarantee them a spot in next week's SCAC Tournament. 

The 2011 SCAC Basketball Tournament is heading to Jackson for the second time in as many years next weekend, February 25-27. Full information on the tournament is available at this link.