SEWANEE, TN- The Millsaps Majors used suffocating defense and halted a three-game losing streak with a 53-31 win over the Sewanee Tigers at Juhan Gymnasium on Sunday.
The Majors held the Tigers to just 21 percent shooting (9-42) and forced 19 turnovers in the win on Sunday. Millsaps turned those 19 turnovers into 23 points and was a key stat in the victory.
The Majors got off to a quick start on Sunday, fueled by freshman forward Kala-Jewel Freeman. She had six of her game-high 15 points during an early 11-4 run to start the game. The Majors' defense kept fueling the run, holding the Tigers without a field goal over a six minute stretch midway through the first half. Beverly Holmes hit a pair of threes as the Majors built a 22-4 lead during the run.
The Majors were relentless on defense throughout the game, harassing the Tigers into 12 first-half turnovers, turning them into 14 points. Miah Brooks and Samantha Perez kept the offense churning with a pair of late buckets each, the Majors took a 31-12 lead into the half.
Millsaps continued to hold the Tigers to long offensive droughts in the second half. Velvet Johnson buried a three to stretch the lead to 38-17. The three kicked off a five minute stretch where the Majors held Sewanee to a lone free throw. Kelli Randle and Freeman added jumpers during the stretch as the Majors built a 26-point lead, their largest of the game.
After the teams traded baskets over the next five minutes, the Majors put the clamps on the Tigers one final time. The Tigers managed just four free throws over the game's final seven minutes. Kim Klunk put an exclamation point on the win, putting in the final basket with just under a minute remaining.
The win put the Majors at 6-6 overall and more importantly, 1-2 in SAA play. The Majors will wrap up their season series with rival Birmingham Southern next Saturday. Tip time is set for 3pm from the Hangar Dome.
A few notes from the game...
The Majors owned the rebounding edge 45-34, led by Freeman and Brooks who each had 8...Millsaps grabbed 17 offensive rebounds, leading to 14 second-chance points...The Majors dominated the points in the paint with a 28-6 advantage...No Tiger had more than six points.
