Box Score Jackson, MS – The Millsaps Men's Basketball Team fell in overtime to Centre earlier today by a final score of 84-78.
 
Today's overtime loss drops the Majors to 1-5 in conference play after earning their first SAA win two days ago on a game winning shot.  Despite the outstanding effort from the Majors, Centre outlasted Millsaps in overtime to improve to 11-6 overall and 3-3 in conference play.
 
Early in the game, Millsaps faced a tough challenge after trailing 23-9 with 9:42 left in the first half.  The tenacious Majors answered the early deficit with a massive 25-10 run heading into halftime.  The first half run not only gave the Majors their first lead of the game, but also began a back and forth, intense contest for the next 25 minutes of play.
 
In all, the first half run changed the momentum and direction of the game.  Millsaps made the game changing run possible by shooting 56 percent from the field and 60 percent on three pointers in the first half.  The defense also stepped up as the Majors held Centre to 31 percent (12-38) shooting from the field and 19 percent (4-21) on three pointers in the first half.
 
With seven different ties and six lead changes, today's intense contest came down to the final seconds of play.  After exchanging baskets all throughout the second half, Centre held a 65-62 lead with 1:47 left in the game.  Needing some quick points down two possessions, the Majors called upon one of their most effective perimeter shooters. 
 
In the final 90 seconds of play, Senior Marc Robertson drilled a pair of threes, including one with nine seconds left to tie the game.  Robertson's late three, which occurred after a Centre three pointer with 16 seconds left, sent the game into overtime.
 
Centre started the extra five minutes of play fast on a 10-2 run.  The Majors, however, never gave up, as Quinn Atkinson and Brennan Gagen combined for the next eight points to cut the deficit to two points.  Leading 80-78 with 23 seconds left, the Colonels made their remaining free throws to eventually win the game 84-78.
 
The Colonels continue the season unbeaten in overtime games 3-0 as they have also won their last five overtime matchups spanning back to the 2014-15 season.  With today's win, Centre improves to 11-6 overall and 3-3 in conference play.
 
Quinn Atkinson led Majors in scoring with a season high 33 points by going 12-21 from the field, 3-5 on three pointers and 3-3 on free throws.  Marc Robertson finished with 12 points while Robert Wade Mason finished with 10.  Robertson led in rebounds with seven while Mason led the Majors in blocks with two.
 
Overall, the Majors shot 50 percent (30-60) from the field and 43 percent (7-16) on three pointers while Centre finished 27-70 (38.6%) from the field and 10-40 (25%) on three pointers.  The Colonels led in second chance points (26-7), bench points (23-18) and points in the pain (26-24) while the Majors led in points off turnovers (21-10).
 
The Millsaps Men's Basketball Team continues conference play next weekend with a series of games on the road. 
 
Next up for the Majors is a matchup against Hendrix in Arkansas.  Tip off against the Warriors from Conway is set for this Friday, Jan. 29th at 8:00 pm.