JACKSON, Miss. -- After spending back-to-back weekends away from Jackson, the Millsaps College women's basketball team returned home on Friday night for a Southern Athletic Association (SAA) matchup with the Stormy Petrels of Oglethorpe University. 

The Stormy Petrels entered as the No. 19 team in the most recent D3hoops.com Top 25 Poll.

The Majors trailed by just five points at halftime, and battled back from a double-digit deficit in the third quarter. Unfortunately, a strong fourth quarter allowed Oglethorpe to leave the Hangar Dome with a 56-40 win.

The loss drops the Majors to 8-11 overall and 2-6 in the SAA. The Stormy Petrels improve to 18-1 overall and 8-0 in the league. 

How It Happened
After Oglethorpe jumped out early to a 6-0 lead, Millsaps battled back to make it 6-5 on a pair of free throws from Dia Fortenberry and three points from Taelor Manning. The two teams traded baskets over the next few possessions, but the Stormy Petrels closed the opening quarter with a three-pointer to take a 13-9 lead. 

The Majors matched Oglethorpe for the entire second quarter, with their defense limiting them to just 33% shooting from the field. The offense came up with several huge buckets, including a three-pointer from Devan Caldwell.

Manning split a pair of free throws to close out the half, and the teams went back to their locker rooms with Oglethorpe clinging to a 26-21 advantage. 

The Stormy Petrels opened up the third period on a 10-1 run, stretching their lead out to 36-22, but Millsaps fought back. 

A pair of free throws by Elecia Lartigue, followed by a Megan Donaldson three-pointer made it a 36-27 game. Less than four minutes later Lartigue converted on a pair of free throws to cut the Oglethorpe lead down to 37-33.

Unfortunately, that was as close as the Majors would get the rest of the night. 

The Stormy Petrels got those two points back to close out the third, and then outscored Millsaps in the fourth quarter to come away with the 56-40 win.

Notables
Fortenberry and Lartigue each scored nine points to lead the Majors in scoring. Fortenberry just missed out on a double-double as she pulled down a team-high 12 rebounds. 

Meanwhile, Lartigue dished out six assists, tied for her career high. 

What's Next?
Millsaps will be back in action on Sunday afternoon when they host Berry College. Tip off from the Hangar Dome is set for 1:00 p.m.