DALLAS, TX- The Millsaps Majors erased a nine-point halftime deficit but ran out of steam in a 60-56 loss at the University of Dallas on Saturday afternoon.
The Majors trailed 34-25 at the break, but surged out of the half with a 17-2 run to grab a 42-36 lead. The Majors' run answered a Crusaders rush to end the first half. However, the Majors would score just four points in the game's final five minutes as Dallas grabbed the non-conference win.
These two teams were tightly contested in the opening half, with neither team able to grab more than a three-point lead in the first 10 minutes. The teams then began to trade runs to end the half. A Mac McElveen jumper gave the Majors the game's biggest lead at 18-13 midway through the half. Millsaps added to it with a three-point play off a Tully Gilligan drive to make it 23-16 Majors. The and-one play capped a 13-3 run by the Majors over a four-minute stretch. Dallas responded in a big way with a 18-2 run over the next seven minutes to end the half. The run staked Dallas to that nine-point halftime lead.
After the Majors erased the Crusader lead, the teams settled into a see-saw battle for the remainder of the game. Ryan Berger hit a three to give the Majors some breathing room at 49-44 with eight minutes remaining. A Murray Kastner three followed suit a few minutes later as the Majors answered another Crusader second-half run.
After Dallas came back to tie the game at 52 with four minutes to go, a drive by Gilligan gave the senior two free throws and the Majors the lead at 54-53. After a defensive stop, the Majors turned the ball over after an offensive foul was called on Dustin Aubert. Dallas his a three on the next possession and a pair of layups by the Majors did everything but go in on the ensuing possession. Down two, the Majors put the Crusaders on the foul line with 25 seconds left. The Crusaders calmly hit both to make it a two possession game. Gilligan raced down for an uncontested layup, but the Majors didn't have an answer to this run as they couldn't get the ball back. The Crusaders would ice the game at the foul line.
The loss drops the Majors to a tough 1-5 on the season and they will look to bounce back tomorrow afternoon at Austin College. Tip time is set for 2pm.
A few notes from the game:
Kastner led the Majors in scoring with 17...Berger led the Majors with 9 rebounds....Dallas out rebounded Millsaps 37-24 and had an 11-5 edge in second chance points...The Majors forced 19 turnovers (including 10 steals) which led to 20 points...There were nine ties and 13 lead changes.
