JACKSON, Miss. – A gritty effort propelled the Millsaps men's basketball team to a 69-62 road triumph over Belhaven inside raucous Rugg Arena on Wednesday. The Majors fed off their traveling fans' energy throughout and senior Doug Watson (19 points) led the way offensively.
Rising freshman Rodney Phillips Jr. was a force with nine points and eight rebounds, while sophomore Nicholas Ughovwa posted an identical nine points to go along with three steals.
Millsaps (1-5) was much more effective from three-point range (35 percent to 22 percent) and used a free-throw advantage to help pull away in the clutch moments (83 percent to 64 percent).
Belhaven (2-3) also suffered with a lack of bench depth getting outscored by the Majors, 21-3. Millsaps also overcame playing the final 15 minutes of the second half in the bonus.
The Blazers looked fired up early, building a 15-4 edge in the opening 5:39 of action. Back-to-back treys by juniors Cam Rucker (eight points) and TJ Hogan (six points) and pair of layups by Phillips Jr. and freshman Mack Gorton pulled Millsaps within one.
Down 23-19, Watson would answer with seven consecutive points to give the Majors their first lead of the contest. The advantage would hold until halftime with Millsaps ahead, 30-28.
After giving up the first four points on the second half, Belhaven retaliated with a 14-0 outburst. Trailing by eight, the Majors would methodically chip away at the deficit before an Ughovwa layup tied the game at 57-57 with five minutes remaining.
Watson and freshman Stewart Bonnecaze would sink a pair of free throws each before the Blazers would respond to the game again at 61-61 after a free throw and trey.
Following a Phillips Jr. free throw, freshman Trace Forbes would rattle home a huge three-point bucket which gave Millsaps a 65-61 cushion with 2:49 on the clock.
The Majors defense became impenetrable and didn't relinquish a single field goal the remainder of the contest. Phillips Jr. and Watson added meaningful layups late to put the game out of reach, helping Millsaps secure a 69-62 road victory.
The Majors return home to host Webster University in the Hangar Dome on Sunday, beginning at 2 p.m. Live video and stats will be provided at gomajors.com.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Millsaps men's basketball program follow the Majors on Twitter and Instagram, like Millsaps Majors Athletics on Facebook or visit gomajors.com.
