JACKSON- The Millsaps Majors scored the game's final nine points, including a buzzer-beating three by Ryan Berger as the Majors shocked the East Texas Baptist Tigers 70-69 on Saturday night.
The three capped off a furious rally by the Majors over the game's final few minutes. The Tigers led 69-61 with just over two minutes remaining. Gilligan and Murray Kastner each made jumpers to cut the lead to four. East Texas Baptist couldn't get the ball inbounded following the basket and a timeout, a Gilligan steal led to a Berger layup to make it a 69-67 ball game. Again, the Tigers struggled getting it in and Gilligan forced a tie-up and got the steal with the possession arrow with the Majors.
Millsaps inbounded the ball with 11 seconds left and Gilligan broke down the defense with four seconds left, the Tigers collapsed on him and he found Berger in the left corner for three, it was nothing but net and the Majors won 70-69.
The Tigers had the momentum going into the half, ending the first 20 on a 12-2 run to grab a 39-29 halftime lead. They led by as many as 13 in the second half at 51-38. The Tigers also owned the glass on Saturday, gaining a 44-21 edge in rebounding but got just 10 second-chance points on the game. The Majors forced 16 turnovers leading to 18 points, Gilligan had seven steals on the night including three during the final 90 seconds.
The Majors were led in scoring by Berger and freshman Ronnie Frebis who each had 17. Frebis also had three offensive rebounds on the evening and was a perfect 7-7 from the line. Kastner was the third Major in double figures with 10 to go along with three assists. Gilligan had five points but six assists to go along with those seven steals.
The Majors now sit at 1-1 on the year and will travel to Rust on Tuesday for a non-conference tilt. Tip time from Holly Springs is set for 7pm.
A few notes on the game
The Majors' largest lead was 2 points after they scored the game's first basket...Millsaps was 12-17 from the foul line...Justin Felicia led ETBU with 14 points and 11 rebounds...
In case you missed the final few minutes...
