BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The No. 25 Millsaps women's basketball team was downed in a pair of neutral-site matchups against Emory University and LaGrange College in the Richard Dardenne Memorial Classic over the weekend. Senior forward Andrea Rayford averaged 11 points and eight rebounds on 62 percent shooting from the field at Bill Battle Coliseum.
 
Saturday vs. (RV) Emory University: 40-50
In a high-profile game against Emory, who is currently receiving votes in the D3hoops.com Preseason poll, the Majors could not overcome a slow third quarter where they were outscored 18-3. Millsaps combined for two field goals in the second and third frames.

Freshman forward Whitney Novak tallied a team-high and career-high nine points in her young career. Rayford was solid in the paint for the Majors as she finished with eight points and led the team with seven rebounds.

Forcing the Eagles to only five points in the first quarter, Millsaps came out with an agenda defensively. Millsaps scored their lone field goal of the second quarter via a three-pointer from Meagan Bickmann with 9:38 remaining in the half to give the Majors their largest lead of the game at 11-6. Following the jumper, Emory would find a groove on both ends of the floor with a 17-0 run to end the half.

Millsaps would answer with a pair of made free throws by junior guard Emily Sims to cut the deficit to 23-13 to begin the third quarter. A 9-0 flurry by Emory would balloon their lead to the largest of the game at 32-13 with just over two minutes remaining in the third.

Not letting the game get away from them, junior guard Briasha King and Rayford sparked an 8-0 run to end the quarter and keep the Majors within striking distance.

A layup by Rayford with 3:18 finally cut the Eagles' lead to single digits at 46-37, but Emory would ultimately hold on for a 50-40 victory.


Sunday vs. LaGrange College: 68-73
Looking to bounce back from Saturday's battle, the Majors found themselves in another hard-fought contest against LaGrange on Sunday afternoon. In a game that was seemingly even on the stat sheet, the Panthers found an advantage in turnover margin. LaGrange forced Millsaps to 32 turnovers, which resulted in 32 points off turnovers. Millsaps forced 19 turnovers and scored 15 points off of those.

Rayford once again nearly reached a double-double with a team-high 14 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Junior forward Devan Caldwell also filled up the stat sheet with nine points, nine rebounds and a team-best three assists.

In a first quarter that featured three ties and two lead changes, Millsaps claimed an early advantage with back-to-back jumpers by Helena Roe for a 12-8 lead with 2:46 left in the first quarter. LaGrange would respond by finishing the quarter on a 11-1 run.

The Majors would claw their way back when a made free throw by Rayford cut the Panthers lead to one point at 20-19. This would ultimately be the closest Millsaps came within retaking the lead before LaGrange utilized a 13-6 run to take an eight-point lead into the intermission.

Millsaps came into the third quarter swinging with a sweet dish from King to junior forward Mikenzi Laster for a layup capping off a 7-2 run to make it a 35-32 deficit. However, a quartet of threes by the Panthers would help boost them to a 53-42 advantage heading into the final frame.

In a game where the Majors trailed by as many as 16 points in the third quarter, Sims connected on a layup to help Millsaps make it a 53-48 game with 6:51 left to play. With Millsaps down seven with three minutes remaining, LaGrange would put the game away with two consecutive baskets to push their lead back up to double digits at 72-60. The Majors would continue to fight, but the Eagles would prevail, 73-68.

Millsaps will head back home to the Hangar Dome where they will host Centenary College on Tuesday, Nov. 16. Tip off is scheduled for 6 p.m. Live video and stats links are available on the women's basketball schedule page at gomajors.com.


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