JACKSON, Miss.—It wasn't always the prettiest. And it definitely wasn't easy. 
 
But at the end of the day, all that matters is who came out on top. And thanks to a game-high 26 points from Morgan McCrea, it was Millsaps who escaped Saturday night's contest with a 76-72 win over Howard Payne.
 
How it Happened
 
The Majors struggled to get their offense going in the first half. After scoring the opening bucket on a Millicent Butler layup, HP went on an 8-0 run to pull ahead early. Millsaps came back and tied the game at 10, and eventually took a first quarter 17-14 lead on threes from Megan Donaldson and McCrea. 
 
The two teams traded points to start the second quarter, with the score eventually becoming knotted at 21. But the Yellow Jackets ended the half on a 10-5 run and took a 31-26 lead into halftime. 
 
The Majors came to life offensively in the third quarter, outscoring HP 29-18. With the score tied at 37, the Majors used threes from McCrea and Donaldson to go on a 6-2 run and re-take the lead. Anytime HP would try to climb back into the game, Millsaps' offense would shut the door with a clutch basket or free throw. The Majors built their biggest lead of the game, 53-45, on a Donaldson three and went to the final frame ahead 55-49. 
 
In the fourth, the Yellow Jackets were able to pull within 2 at 57-55, but back-to-back baskets from Rebecca Harris and Dia Fortenberry gave the Majors some breathing room. HP battled back and tied the game at 61, but Butler scored on back-to-back possessions to put Millsaps back up on top. With less than a minute and a half remaining, Howard Payne had taken the lead back at 69-67 but McCrea came back with a three, her fourth of the game. A pair of free throws gave HP the lead but Millsaps answered with a Fortenberry jumper. A Butler rebound on a miss wrapped up the game for the Majors, as McCrea was sent to the line 4 times in the final 4 seconds. She drained all four to send the Majors to 3-1 on the season. 
 
McCrea's 26 points is a season-high for the Majors and the sophomore also went 12-12 at the charity stripe. Butler added 13 points and Anna Wilson added 10, her fourth straight game in double figures. 


 
What's Next? 

The Majors will be back in action on Sunday against LeTourneau, who dropped a game to BSC earlier in the day. Tipoff for the Majors and Yellow Jackets is at 3 pm.