COLUMBUS, Miss. – In a rematch between two teams that met on Nov. 21, the Millsaps women's basketball team fell to the Mississippi University for Women, 57-51 on Tuesday. Junior forward
Devan Caldwell posted her first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds inside Pohl Gymnasium.
Junior guard
Briasha King (15 points, six rebounds) and senior forward
Andrea Rayford (12 points) also reached double figures in the contest.
Millsaps (5-5) outrebounded the Owls 42-35, but shot 8-of-16 from the free throw line. MUW (1-7) won the turnover battle, 25-15.
Following a made three by King, the Majors burst out to an 8-2 advantage in the first. After the Owls cut the game to an 8-6 score, Millsaps polished off the first frame with a 5-0 run to gain their largest lead at seven points.
The Owls caught fire in the second quarter, which included a 17-2 run in the process. Millsaps would head into the intermission down 23-21 after back-to-back three-point baskets by junior guard
Meagan Bickmann to end the half.
Early in the third, second year forward
Helena Roe would find Caldwell behind the arc to help Millsaps reclaim the lead at 28-26. In a competitive frame that featured four ties and five lead changes, MUW would enter the fourth with a 35-34 lead.
A free-throw line jumper from Rayford tied the game once again at 38-38 with 7:40 remaining. The Owls would then gain separation with a 9-2 run to take a 47-40 lead with just over four minutes remaining. Looking for a response, the Majors fought their way back to a 52-49 deficit after a made three-pointer by King with 1:06 left.
On the Owls' pursuing possession, freshman guard
Emily Adams would pry the ball away for a steal. In the fast-paced action, Millsaps then turned the ball over and would be forced to foul. MUW would connect on both of their free throw attempts and force another turnover to hold on for a 57-51 win.
Millsaps will next head to Birmingham where they will begin conference action against SAA foe BSC on Saturday, Dec. 18. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 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 program follow the Majors on Twitter and Instagram, like Millsaps Majors Athletics on Facebook or visit gomajors.com.