CONWAY, Ark. – Senior Taelor Manning and freshman Helena Roe stepped up in a big way on Saturday to power the Millsaps women's basketball team to a gritty 69-66 win over Hendrix inside the Grove Gymnasium in Conway. The pair combined for 48 points to give Millsaps (2-0, 1-0 SAA) its first Southern Athletic Association victory of the season.  

Manning, who last season was named All-SAA Honorable Mention, netted 25 points, tying her career-high point total. The Memphis, Tenn., native was also a perfect 12 of 12 from the charity stripe on Saturday and grabbed seven boards.

Roe, a Madison, Miss. product and member of the MAIS All-Star Team, showed off in a big way in just her second collegiate contest. The freshman totaled 23 points behind 4-of-7 shooting from behind the arc.  

The Majors forced Hendrix (0-1, 0-1 SAA) into 23 turnovers and capitalized them into 26 points.

Manning finished off a nifty drop pass down low in the paint to beat the buzzer as the third quarter came to a close. Millsaps led 57-43 heading into the final frame, but Hendrix would battle back.   

The Warriors used a 17-2 run to close the deficit to 60-58 with 4:00 to go. Manning would stop the run with a pair of free throws, but Hendrix continued its comeback push.

An ensuing 5-0 run would give the Warriors their first lead since the first quarter, up 63-62 with only 1:17 on the clock. Senior Anna Thigpen would tie the game with a free throw, then Roe stepped up in the clutch. Not only did she steal the following Hendrix possession, but she also drained a decisive three-pointer with 38 seconds left.

Millsaps will face the Warriors and return to the same court for a rematch at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Live video and stats links can be found on the women's basketball schedule page at gomajors.com.
 
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