MONTGOMERY, ALA. – The Millsaps women's basketball team fought hard in their season opener but fell just short, 67-66 inside the Roland Arena on Friday.
 
Junior Haley Franklin led the Majors with 21 points, five rebounds and three assists. Rising freshman Tia Anderson highlighted with 13 points and three rebounds on 5-of-9 shooting in her collegiate debut.
 
Junior Emily Adams chipped in nine points, seven rebounds and three steals. Sophomore Elyse Warren posted eight points and four rebounds, while junior Whitney Noak tallied four points and seven boards for the Majors.
 
Millspas narrowly outscored the Hawks in bench points (27-23) and outshot Huntingdon 40.0 percent to 35.2 percent. The hosts held a slim advantage on turnovers forced (19-16).
 
In the first quarter, Huntingdon took an early 9-2 lead following a made jumper. The remainder of the quarter was very physical with free throws being presented throughout to both sides. Warren and Franklin would provide the Majors a lift with jumpers in the closing minutes of the quarter, which cut the deficit to 18-17.
 
Free throws continued to factor in the second quarter and Huntingdon would use a pair of three pointers to pull ahead, 39-29. Adams would sink two shots from the free-throw line to make it 42-33 in favor of the Hawks at the break.
 
The third quarter was a strong turnaround for the Majors, who would score the first eight points punctuated by a Warren jump shot.
 
Franklin would then sink a two-pointer to push Millsaps ahead, 48-44 with 1:00 on the clock. The teams then traded free throws as the Majors led, 49-47 with 10 minutes to play.
 
Millsaps then opened the fourth quarter with a defensive rebound and four Franklin points to build the largest advantage in the contest at 53-47.
 
As the game carried on, fouls and turnovers would push Huntingdon back out front, 55-53.
 
With the game on the line, senior Maddie Howell arched a three pointer to regain the lead at 56-55 with 4:21 remaining.
 
Huntingdon would find themselves back at the free-throw line, taking a 65-60 lead with 1:26 on the clock. The Majors slowly chipped into the Hawks cushion as freshman Nya Miller sunk a three pointer with two seconds to play, making it a 67-66 deficit.
 
Huntingdon would miss two additional free throw attempts and Franklin would send up a half-court heave at the buzzer, but come up just short. The Hawks would hold on for a 67-66 victory in the season opener.
 
The Majors will next host Belhaven, beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Live video and live stats will be provided at gomajors.com.
 

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