JACKSON, Miss – The No. 25 Millsaps women's basketball program received huge contributions from junior guard
Briasha King, but it was not enough to lift the Majors past Belhaven in a 56-54 defeat on Tuesday. King tied a career-high 20 points to go along with four rebounds and three steals in the Riverside Rumble inside the Hangar Dome.
Sophomore forward
Helena Roe tallied a career-high 11 rebounds and junior guard
Meagan Bickmann posted a career-best 14 points.
The Majors could not overcome a 23-13 disadvantage in points off turnovers. Belhaven also doubled up Millsaps in the paint, 32-16, while the Majors shot 14-of-28 from the free throw line.
Millsaps (0-1) did hold the Blazers to 35 percent from the field and led in bench points (20-11).
The Majors controlled tempo in the first quarter, leading 16-11 after 10 minutes. A King jumper with 3:09 remaining in the half gave Millsaps a 10 point-lead before Belhaven closed the deficit to 29-26 at intermission.
A back-and-forth third quarter appeared to be going the Majors' way when Bickmann nailed a three-pointer to put Millsaps up 45-38 with just over 12 minutes to play.
Belhaven would methodically chip away at the lead and grabbed their first advantage since the first quarter at 48-47 with 6:47 to go. The edge would grow to 56-50 with three minutes remaining on the clock.
Roe would connect on a layup in the paint with 1:09 remaining, cutting the lead to four points. King would then add a pair of free throws to push the game to 56-54 at the 50 second mark.
A series of turnovers and Belhaven missed free throws would give the Majors a chance to tie the game or send it into overtime. Bickmann's valiant three-point effort in the last seconds didn't fall, giving Belhaven a 56-54 nail-biting win.
The Majors will next travel to Birmingham, Ala. to face Emory University in the Richard Dardenne Memorial Classic on Saturday, Nov. 16. Tip off is scheduled for 6 pm. Live video and stats links are available on the women's basketball schedule page at gomajors.com.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the women's basketball programs follow the Majors on Twitter and Instagram, like Millsaps Majors Athletics on Facebook or visit gomajors.com.
