JACKSON, MS- The Millsaps Majors closed out the 2013-14 home season with a 74-67 win over the Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels on Sunday.
Millsaps put three in double figures as they shot 51 percent on the day. Mac McElveen led the way with 17 while seniors Murray Kastner and Ryan Berger scored 16 and 15 each, respectfully. Berger had a double double with 11 rebounds.
It was all Oglethorpe early as they raced out of the gate to a 7-0 lead, forcing a Millsaps' timeout. Oglethorpe would cool off as the Majors' heated up as the half continued. Kastner had 10 points in the first six minutes of the game, as his three brought Millsaps within one at 14-13 and one moments later that gave them the lead.
After trading baskets over the next few possessions, the Majors reeled off an 15-2 run to take a 33-23 lead. The Petrels would close the gap to 33-30 until Marc Robertson took a long feed from Tully Gilligan and buried a three at the horn to give the Majors a 36-30 halftime lead.
The Majors would build a double digit lead in the early stages of the second half. A Berger three point play gave the Majors a 10-point lead that they'd maintain for much of the half. Oglethorpe could not get closer than nine points and a McElveen three opened up a 14-point lead with 12 minutes left.
Every mini-Petrel run was answered by the Majors as the minutes ticked off the clock. A 5-0 run with four minutes left brought Oglethorpe within six at 62-56. But the Majors brought the lead back out to double digits on McElveen jumpers and Gilligan sinking free throws. Again the Petrels charged, getting within five with under a minute to go. A Petrel turnover that led to an intentional foul sealed the game for Millsaps, who hit their free throws down the stretch.
The Majors grabbed the sixth seed in the upcoming SAA tournament with the win, improving to 5-9 in conference and 8-15 overall. They play Oglethorpe again on Friday with an 8pm eastern tip time.
A few notes from the game:
Each team had nine turnovers, but Millsaps had a 16-10 points off turnover edge...The Majors out rebounded Oglethorpe 32-30 and held a 32-30 points in the paint edge...Tully Gilligan had a game-high eight assists...Alex Davis led four Petrels in double figures with 16.
