JACKSON, Miss – Millsaps men's basketball sophomore wing Cameron Williams and junior guard Doug Watson combined for 53 points in a come-from-behind, 79-77 victory against crosstown rival Belhaven. Millsaps overcame a 12-point second-half deficit in the Riverside Rumble inside the Hangar Dome on Tuesday.

Williams marked numerous career-highs with 29 points (10-12 FT), 12 rebounds and three blocks in his first double-double of the young season.

Millsaps (1-1) caused havoc defensively, forcing Belhaven (1-0) to turn the ball over 20 times while shooting 34 percent from the field. The Majors outscored the Blazers, 51-41 in the second frame.

Millsaps came out on fire with a jumper by Williams to spark a 19-4 run to begin the game.

Belhaven would immediately respond with a 16-0 push to claim their first lead at 20-19. A pair of free throws by sophomore guard Cam Rucker would temporarily stop the momentum and give Millsaps the lead again.

Tied 23-23, Belhaven would close the first half on a 13-5 run for an eight-point lead at intermission (36-28).

Both teams would trade buckets to start the second half. Belhaven would then claim their largest lead (50-38) off back-to-back threes with 14:04 remaining.

Late into the second half, Millsaps would find a groove offensively with Williams and Watson taking turns running isolation plays at the top of the key.

The Majors gradually chipped away at the lead. A made free throw by Williams would finally push Millsaps ahead at 73-72 and give them their first lead since 7:20 in the first.

Up by three with six seconds left, head coach Michael Prather instructed his team to foul with the Blazers. Belhaven made both of their free throws and the strategy worked as Watson was fouled with two seconds left. After making the first shot, Watson's second free throw sailed long. Belhaven would launch one final half-court heave that was off the mark to give Millsaps the two-point victory at 79-77.

The Majors will next travel to Longview, Texas where they will compete in the LeTourneau University Classic. They will face Schreiner University on Friday at 5 p.m. and Texas Lutheran University on Saturday at 3 p.m. Live video and stats links can be found on the men's basketball schedule page at gomajors.com.
 

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