JACKSON, Miss. -- The Millsaps College men's basketball team won their seventh straight game on Friday night, defeating the visiting Sewanee Tigers 80-72 in Southern Athletic Association (SAA) play.
The game was tied 35-35 at halftime, but a huge run from Millsaps midway through the second half allowed the Majors to capture the 80-72 win.
The victory pushes Millsaps to 10-3 overall and 2-0 in league play. Sewanee falls to 7-6 overall and 1-1 in the SAA.
How It Happened
Saxton Becker got the Majors going with a three-pointer to open the game, but the Tigers responded with one of their own before taking a 5-3 lead on the very next possession.
It was back and forth early on, with Sewanee leading by as many as six points midway through the half, but when
Zachary Tullos converted a layup opportunity to put Millsaps up 22-21 the Majors never trailed the rest of the half.
Millsaps led by five points several times late in the half, but the Tigers scored the final basket of the period to tie things up at 35-35.
In nearly a carbon copy of the first half, Becker opened the second half with a three-pointer to put Millsaps ahead 38-35.
Sewanee answered with four straight points, before
Kaleb Jenkins connected on a triple to make it 41-39. The Majors never trailed again.
The lead grew to as many as 17 points, as Millsaps outscored Sewanee 17-2 after the three-pointer from Jenkins.
The Tigers rallied late however, getting back to within six points in the game's final seconds, but in the end Millsaps was able to hang on for the 80-72 victory.
Notables
Jenkins led the Majors with a career-high 17 points, meanwhile
Justin Van Pelt notched his first double-double of the season with 12 points and a team-high 13 rebounds.
Anthony Hughes (13),
Ryan McLaurin (11) and Becker (10) rounded out the double-digit scorers for the Majors.
12 offensive rebounds led to 15 second-chance points for Millsaps.
What's Next?
The Majors are back in action Sunday afternoon when they host Centre College. Tip off from the Hangar Dome is set for 2:00 p.m.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the men's basketball program this year follow the Majors on Twitter and Instagram, like Millsaps Majors Athletics on Facebook or visit gomajors.com.
