JACKSON, Miss.—The Millsaps women's basketball team came into Friday night's matchup with Centre averaging 64.9 points/game, tops in the SAA. Centre's defense only gave up 51.0 points/game, also tops in the conference…something had to give.
 
While it was the Majors who conceded the offense vs defense battle, it ultimately won the war as the Majors moved to 9-0 at the Hangar Dome with a 48-45 win over the Colonels. The win moves Millsaps to 14-3 overall and 5-1 in the SAA. 

How It Happened
Centre's defense was as advertised, as they locked down the Majors shooters and kept them from getting many clean looks. After Dia Fortenberry scored the game's first point on a free throw, the Colonels went on an 12-3 run to take a 12-4 lead after the first quarter. 

The Majors offense was able to get into a rhythm to start the second quarter, specifically Anna Wilson. The junior started the quarter on her own 9-0 run, highlighted by a pair of threes, to give Millsaps a 13-12 lead. The two teams traded baskets to 15 until a Morgan McCrea free throw and a Millicent Butler basket and-one put Millsaps back on top. The Colonels went back ahead but Wilson came up with a big bucket and-one to push the Majors back ahead. A Colonel jumper and-one brought them within one at the half, with Millsaps ahead 24-23.
 
Centre opened the third on a 7-3 run to retake the lead but Wilson answered with another three to keep the Majors in the thick of things. A pair of free throws by Rebecca Harris with 2:33 left, pulled Millsaps within one at 34-33 but both teams were kept off the scoreboard to set up an exciting fourth quarter. 

Neither team could get much separation to start the fourth, with the lead never getting bigger than two. With Centre ahead 40-38, McCrea hit her only three of the night to give Millsaps a one-point lead. A pair of free throw put Centre back on top but Wilson continued her big night with a basket and-one to once again give Millsaps the lead. Clutch free throw shooting down the stretch expanded the Majors lead but a Centre three with :38 seconds left kept the door open for the Colonels. Fortenberry hit a free throw of her own and the Majors defense clamped down to keep Centre from getting off a shot in the final seconds of the game.
 
The Majors were led by Wilson's big night; she led all scorers with a season-high 18 points on 6-8 shooting, including 3-3 from behind the arc. Fortenberry added 12 points to go along with her four steals. 

Stat of the Game
-There were 16 lead changes in the game until Millsaps took the lead for good with 1:53 left in the game. 

What's Next
The Majors will look to keep control of the SAA as they wrap up the first half of their conference slate with a Sunday game against Sewanee. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 pm.