JACKSON, Miss. – The Millsaps men's basketball team fell in its Millsaps College Tournament opener to the University of Ozarks, 78-61 inside the Hangar Dome on Saturday.
 
Rising freshmen Rodney Phillips Jr. (19 points, five rebounds) was efficient from the field, shooting 7-of-14 off the bench. He did an outstanding job inside the paint as he used his fundamental jab steps to score on opponents inside the interior.

Senior Doug Watson (18 points, five rebounds) played a huge part in the offensive game strategy as well.
 
The Eagles started the game struggling inside the paint as junior Aaron Ursin (six points) contested the majority of the layups inside the lane by matching a career-high four blocks. Millsaps was a perfect 23-of-23 from the free-throw line, but struggled from long range (2-of-30).
            
Ursin scored the first basket for Millsaps (0-3), cutting the deficit to 3-2 early. Ozarks (4-0) started fast as the Eagles soared ahead to a 14-2 lead.
 
Down 19-6, Phillips would use one of his several spin moves to cap off a 6-0 run and pull the Majors within seven points midway through the first half. The Eagles would close the half on a 24-14 run to lead 43-26 at the intermission.
 
Junior Seth Stephen looked to provide a spark off the bench when he earned a hard-fought, three-point play five minutes into the second frame. A Dakota Gasca jumper followed to dig into the deficit at 49-37.

Facing an 18-point hole with six minutes to play, Millsaps would respond with an 8-0 burst and pull within 67-57 two minutes later. Ozarks would recover from the counterpunch and hold on for a 78-61 win.
 
The Majors will next host Piedmont University in the Consultation Game of the Millsaps College Tournament at 1 p.m. on Sunday, with live stats and video available at gomajors.com.


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