JACKSON, Miss. – The Millsaps women's basketball team put up a strong effort in their season opener, but it wasn't enough as Belhaven won 88-74 inside Rugg Arena on Tuesday.

Belhaven guard Shatashia John was the difference maker totaling 38 points for the hosts. Not to be outdone, Millsaps sophomore Haley Franklin had an all-around strong game in her first game as a Major. Franklin scored 15 points on 11-of-14 from the free-throw line to go along with three steals, three assists and four rebounds.
 
Senior Briasha King shot 3-of-5 from long range to tally a team-high 17 points. Classmates Devan Caldwell chipped in 11 points and Elecia Lartigue grabbed five boards.
 
Millsaps netted 39 percent from the floor and 43 percent from three-point range, but the Blazers were slightly sharper with a 44 percent field-goal mark.
 
The Majors forced 25 turnovers off of eight steals and outscored the Belhaven bench, 35-20. However, the Blazers used a 45-25 rebounding advantage to their benefit.
 
Millsaps' last lead was at 13-10 with two minutes remaining in the first quarter. Belhaven responded to lead 40-30 at halftime. The Blazers outshot the Majors 61.5 percent to 54 percent in an offensive third quarter to keep Millsaps at arm's length.
 
The Majors will now head to Birmingham, Ala., for a pair of games, beginning on Friday at 4 p.m. Millsaps will face Bob Jones University with live video and live stats available at gomajors.com.


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