SEWANEE, Tenn. – Millsaps men's basketball sophomore wing Cameron Williams' career-high 29 points was not enough as the Majors came up just short to the Sewanee Tigers, 86-83 in overtime on Friday.

Williams added eight rebounds on 12-of-22 shooting, while senior forward Newlon Gillihan (15 points, seven rebounds, three steals) and freshman guard Brock Brown (10 points) also reached double figures inside Juhan Gymnasium in the Majors' Southern Athletic Association opener.

Millsaps (2-9, 0-1 SAA), who shot nearly 50 percent from the field, outscored Sewanee in the paint (40-32) and in bench points (21-12). The Majors also bested the Tigers in points off turnovers at 18-11.

In a game that featured nine ties and eight lead changes, Sewanee (4-7, 1-1 SAA) shot 90 percent (18-of-20) from the foul line compared to 58 percent (7-of-12) for Millsaps.

It was the second time Williams tallied 29 points, the first coming on Nov. 9 in a 79-77 win over Belhaven.

With the score tied 5-5 one minute into the game, a made three by Brown ignited a 10-3 run for Millsaps to give them their largest lead at 15-8 six minutes in. Both teams would trade baskets, but the Majors would not relinquish their advantage, securing a 37-34 advantage into the intermission.

Sewanee opened the second half on an 8-0 burst to help claim their first lead of the game and enter the first media timeout up 47-42. With the game closing in on the final 10 minutes, second-year guard Cam Rucker found his way into the paint for a jumper to tie the game at 49-49.

The Tigers would answer on the following possession and would nurse the lead up to five points. Pressing their way back into the game, Millsaps would reclaim the advantage after Williams blew past a Tigers' defender for an and-one basket with 5:03 left. Capping off a 14-2 run, a three by Williams would give Millsaps a 73-66 lead with 2:06 remaining.

Down four with 13 seconds left, Sewanee would be sent to the free throw line and hit both of their shots. On the following possession, Millsaps would miss the first shot of a one-and-one free throw. The Majors then intentionally fouled Sewanee as they were subject to a one-and-one as well. The Tigers knocked down both free throws to send the game into overtime at 75-75.

With the 1:17 remaining in extra time and the Majors down 84-81, Gillihan found a streaking Williams for a dunk to cut the deficit to one point. Both teams would then proceed to miss their next shots and Millsaps would be forced to foul.

Sewanee made both of their free throws with 15 seconds left and called a timeout to set up their defense. Millsaps would hoist a double-clutch three as the time waned down, but it would not fall resulting in a victory for the Tigers.

Millsaps will remain on the road and next head to Danville, Ky. for a matchup with Centre on Sunday, Jan. 7. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m., while live video and stats links can be found on the men's basketball schedule page at gomajors.com.
 

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