JACKSON, MS- The Majors used strong defense and a second-half surge to put away the Agnes Scott Scotties 72-45 on Sunday afternoon in the Hangar Dome.
Beverly Holmes had 13 of her game-high 18 in the second half, leading a stellar second 20 for the Majors that saw them out score the Scotties 40-17 and blow open a game that was nip-and-tuck for much of the first half.
The Majors' defense was the story on Sunday as they stifled the Scotties all game long, holding Agnes Scott to just 28 percent shooting, 21 percent in the second half. The Scotties did get hot for one brief stretch, going on a 10-0 run to grab a 14-12 lead, capped off by a rare four-point play midway through the opening half.
The teams would trade baskets for much of the final 10 minutes of the first half before Agnes Scott opened a brief five-point lead, their largest on Sunday. A three-point play from Velvet Johnson cut the lead to two and sparked a 9-0 run to end the half for the Majors. Millsaps would lead 32-28 at the break.
The run to end the first half stretched into the second, as the Majors stretched their lead to 13 at 41-28 and capped an 18-0 run that spanned the halves. Miah Brooks established herself early in the half with two post buckets and helped re-establish an inside presence that was key in the second half surge. Holmes hit a pair of jumpers to start her strong second half as the Majors made a statement early.
The Scotties would never get closer than 10 as the Majors poured it on offensively and defensively. Holmes and Johnson continued their hot shooting as the lead grew to 21 after a Holmes fast break lay-in. Katie Connor led a bench crew that closed the game strong. The point guard scored seven points and chipped in two assists and a steal in the final minutes of the game.
The Majors outscored the Scotties 36-14 in the paint, 14-2 in transition and a staggering 18-0 in second-chance points.
The win moves Millsaps to 8-3 on the year. They will close out non-conference play on Monday when they welcome in Rust for a 5pm tip.
