JACKSON, Miss. – A trio of Majors reached double figures in scoring as the No. 25 Millsaps women's basketball held off the Mississippi University for Women, 64-60 in the Millsaps Classic on Sunday. Junior
Briasha King (16 points), classmate
Devan Caldwell (12 pts) and freshman
Whitney Novak (10 pts) led the Millsaps (3-3) to their third consecutive victory inside the Hangar Dome.
The Majors led wire-to-wire as they held MUW (0-5) to 30 percent from the field and outscored the Owls, 23-9 in the third quarter.
Millsaps dominated MUW in the paint, 34-20 and depth was on display as the bench outproduced MUW's, 18-4.
After both teams traded two-point baskets to begin the game, a pair of King free throw makes sparked a 9-0 run by the Majors. Caldwell then used a sweet pass and found King underneath the basket to give the Majors their first double-digit lead of the game at 17-7.
Clawing their way back into the game, MUW brought the score to 19-18 with a hefty amount of free throws. Novak would break a scoring drought that lasted over four minutes with back-to-back layups to push the lead back to five. As action progressed, the game entered the intermission knotted at 29-29 thanks to 11-14 free throw shooting from the Owls in the second quarter.
The Majors found a groove utilizing crisp plays and cuts on offense to secure another double-digit lead at 46-36 entering the media timeout in the third quarter. Millsaps would continue their onslaught and win the third stanza convincingly and enter the fourth up 52-38.
Millsaps would then convert a turnover into a fast break layup to get their largest lead at 16 early in the fourth. Attempting to rally with time running out, MUW harassed the Majors defensively by using full-court pressure to cut the Majors lead to 60-58 with two minutes remaining.
Out of a timeout, Caldwell extended the lead back up to four points when she streaked to the basket for a layup. The Owls made it a two-point game on a fast break of their own with 51 seconds left, forcing another Majors timeout. Following the break, MUW forced another turnover and called time of with 43 seconds on the clock.
With a chance for the Owls to tie or take the lead, the Majors stood tall and forced a turnover with 17 seconds left. King was fouled intentionally where she made both of her free throws and Millsaps retained possession with five seconds remaining. The Majors would ultimately hold on for 64-60 victory in thrilling fashion.
The Majors will next host the Millsaps Thanksgiving Classic inside the Hangar Dome, Nov. 26-27. Millsaps will face Agnes Scott College on Saturday and the University of Dallas on Sunday. Both tipoffs are scheduled for 3 p.m. 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.
