JACKSON, Miss. – The Millsaps men's basketball team battled to the final buzzer, but came up just short against Piedmont University, 63-62 inside the Hangar Dome on Sunday.

Senior Doug Watson tallied 10 points as the Majors were unable to convert a last-second shot with seconds remaining in the Millsaps College Tournament Consolation Game.

The Majors held a 18-8 points-off turnover advantage, but fell behind 32-18 on points in the paint.
 
The Lions started the first half with a couple turnovers, but managed to build a brief 6-0 lead to begin the game. Freshmen Dakota Gasca (10 points) tallied Millsaps' first basket with a tough jump shot four minutes in.
 
Midway through the first half freshman Mack Gorton and junior Cam Rucker nailed back-to-back three-pointers to give Millsaps its first lead at 18-17.
 
Piedmont would then utilize a 13-0 burst to take momentum over the next five minutes of action. Junior Aarron Ursin (nine points, six rebounds) sunk a nifty jumper to stop the run. The big man dominated defensively by adding three blocks.

Watson then hit back-to-back treys to cut the deficit to 39-37 less than three minutes into the second half.
 
Junior TJ Hogan would electrify the crowd and the Major bench when he completed a rare four-point play, tying the game at 54-54 with 6:20 remaining. Watson then added a pair of free throws to give Millsaps its first advantage since the first half.
 
The Lions were quick to counter with the next nine points. However, the Majors would fight back when Rucker nailed a trey to make it a 63-59 Piedmont lead with 2:07 to play. Ursin would then add three free throws and make it 63-62 with 44 seconds to go.
 
Ursin followed by mustering a huge block with 11 seconds in the game. The Lions would grab the ball and miss an ensuing jumper, giving Millsaps the ball with four seconds to play following a Hogan defensive rebound and timeout.
 
Watson would have one final chance on a long-range two-pointer, but came up just short as Piedmont escaped with a 63-62 decision.
 
The Majors will next be back in action as they travel to open SAA play and face Birmingham-Southern Monday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. Live video and live stats will be made available at gomajors.com.
 

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