ATLANTA – What promised to be a dynamic matchup between two Top-10 programs did not disappoint on Saturday night as the No. 8 Millsaps women's basketball team was bested by No. 4 Oglethorpe, 60-56 in the final minutes inside the Dorough Field House.

Senior Taelor Manning led all scorers with 19, while adding five rebounds. Sophomore Briasha King and senior Dia Fortenberry each added 14 points and combined for 13 boards.

Turnovers, rebounding and free throws proved to be the difference late. Oglethorpe (7-0, 7-0 SAA) led the turnover battle, 24-21 and outrebounded Millsaps (8-1, 7-1 SAA), 46-35.

The Majors outshot Oglethorpe from the field (41.5 to 31.7 percent) but struggled from the free-throw line (10 of 18). The Stormy Petrels extended their winning streak to 34 games.

A Devan Caldwell three-pointer gave Millsaps an early 5-2 lead, but the Stormy Petrels fired back with a 10-0 run before the first media timeout.

Oglethorpe would hold a solid 18-11 lead late in the first quarter after back-and-forth play. Fortenberry connected on a layup, then forced a turnover and nailed a jumper to end the quarter, cutting the deficit to just 18-15.

The Stormy Petrels would start the second frame on a 5-0 run, but Millsaps would answer with a 10-1 flurry to gain its first lead of the game at 25-24 midway through the quarter.

The second half would open with Manning sinking a jumper and immediately adding a steal and fast-break layup to give the Majors their largest lead of the contest at 36-29.

However, Oglethorpe would slowly battle back and eventually win the rest of the third quarter, 15-6 to grab a 44-42 lead.

The first part of the fourth saw the Stormy Petrels hold the Majors at bay and cling to a 54-49 edge with 4:05 remaining. Millsaps would make another concerted push and recapture the lead in the closing minutes.

A King steal led to a quick Major basket. The Millsaps defense then forced Oglethorpe into a shot clock violation and were able to capitalize with a Mikenzi Laster make. King followed with a pair of free throws to give Millsaps a 55-54 lead with 2:02 on the clock.

The Majors would be held without a field goal in the time remaining, while Oglethorpe would add a basket and four free throws to ice the game and escape with a 60-56 win.

The same two teams return for a 12 p.m. CT rematch on Sunday. Live video and stats links are available on the women's basketball schedule page at gomajors.com.

 
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