JACKSON, MS- Millsaps used strong defense and held LaGrange to 35 percent shooting in a 57-39 victory on Monday night in the Majors' home opener. 

The Majors also forced 17 turnovers including three steals from Miah Brooks and turned those turnovers into 13 points in the victory. 

Millsaps held the Panthers to just five points in the opening five minutes of play and built a seven-point lead early on. Brooks was the offensive catalyst early on, scoring four early buckets en route to a game-high 19 points. The Panthers would rally and cut the lead to one, but the Millsaps' defense would once again stymie the LaGrange offense, holding the Panthers to just five points over the final eight minutes of the half. Millsaps led 27-19 at the half. 

The Majors kept their foot on the gas pedal in the second half, racing out to an 8-2 advantage and stretching the lead out to double digits. Again, it was the Majors' low post that led the charge with Brooks and Kala-Jewel Freeman combining for the eight points. 

Velvet Johnson started to heat up in the second half, scoring 12 second half points. The senior guard had an answer everytime LaGrange threatened a run. Millsaps continued to comfortably lead by 12-15 for most of the second half. 

The win evens the Majors' record at 2-2 on the season. They will take on conference foe Birmingham Southern on Sunday to open conference play. Tip time is set for 3pm.