JACKSON, Miss. – The Millsaps men's basketball team kept Centre at arm's length and was able to down the Colonels, 66-61 inside the Hangar Dome on Friday.
The Majors used a balance scoring effort courtesy of freshman
Dakota Gasca (15 points, three assists), senior
Doug Watson (13 points) and freshman
Rodney Phillips Jr. (10 points).
Junior
Aaron Ursin (eight points, seven rebounds, four blocks) had an all-around terrific evening. He was dominate against the Colonels and was ready to seal the home victory.
Millsaps out shot Centre 46.9 percent (23-of-49) to 31.4 percent (16-of-51). Additionally, the Majors held the visitors to only nine percent (1-of-11) from three-point range in the second half.
Ursin doing what he does best, used his change of direction to put the Majors on the scoreboard with a hook shot layup three minutes in.
The Colonels would take advantage of early Millsaps foul trouble and led by six points at 22-16 with 7:24 left in the first half.
Later in the opening stanza, Gasca and Phillips Jr. would sink back-to-back three-pointers to push the Majors ahead, 27-22. Millsaps would carry an advantage the rest of the half and lead 33-28 at intermission.
Centre then battled back to take a 53-51 advantage with just under seven minutes remaining. Millsaps would clamp down defensively from that point on.
Gaining support from the crowd, the Majors changed the momentum. Sophomore
Nicholas Ughovwa (seven points) tallied a spinning layup while being fouled to put Millsaps up 60-55 with 2:48 left.
The Colonels tried to push their way back into the game, but junior
Cam Rucker converted an emphatic three-point play to put the game out of reach late. The Majors held strong for a 66-61 triumph.
Millsaps will be back in action at home and face Sewanee on Sunday, starting at 3 p.m. Live video and live 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.