JACKSON, MS- Stingy Millsaps' defense in overtime proved difference as the Majors picked up their third win of the season 73-67 over the Covenant Scots on Friday night in the Hangar Dome.
A Chris Boyd layup with three seconds left in regulation forced overtime, tied at 63. The Majors turned up the defense in OT. They held Covenant scoreless for the final four minutes of the extra time, going on a 8-0 run to close out the ball game.
Marc Robertson (pictured) started white hot from the field, draining five first half threes to spark the Majors. The junior drained three of them in a one minute span as Millsaps opened a 17-10 lead. The Scots would go on a run to cut the Millsaps' lead to one at 22-21. Another Robertson three started a Major rally , they would extend the lead back out to eight and lead 34-29 at the half.
The Scots stormed out of the break, scoring the half's first eight points to grab a three-point lead. Robertson's sixth three of the game tied it up and Mac McElveen followed with a three of his own to give Millsaps the lead right back.
Neither team could seize control of the contest in the second half. Once Millsaps retook the lead, neither team led by more than three until overtime. With the Majors up one, McElveen would go one of two from the foul line in the final minute, setting up the final play of regulation for the Scots, with the aforementioned layup forcing overtime.
The key play of the overtime was an offensive rebound from freshman forward Josh McSwain, he put back up a McElveen miss and gave Millsaps a lead they would not relinquish. McSwain finished with 10 points and eight rebounds. The Majors' defense took over, forcing six Scot turnovers in the OT to clinch the win.
McSwain was one of four Majors in double figures, led by McElveen who led all scorers with 26. Robertson had 18 off his six threes while Dustin Aubert had 10 and a game-high eight assists and five steals.
The victory moves Millsaps to 3-4 on the season as they have won back-to-back games and three of four. They will have a tough test tomorrow afternoon as the 7-0 Dallas Crusaders come to town for a 3pm tip time.
