JACKSON, Miss. – The Millsaps women's basketball team took care of business in their home opener against cross-street rivals Belhaven, downing the Blazers 62-53 inside a boisterous Hangar Dome on Wednesday.
Junior
Haley Franklin netted 26 points on shot 50 percent shooting (8-of-16) and 10-of-13 from the free-throw line (10-of-13). She added six rebounds and two steals Sophomore
Elyse Warren scored 14 points and five rebounds.
Junior
Whitney Novak secured nine points, seven rebounds and added a steal. Senior
Helena Roe finished with three points, nine rebounds, four assists and one steal.
The Majors led in all categories, including second-chance points (14-4) in the fast break (13-5) and in bench points (19-14)
In the first quarter both teams would tie back and forth in a low-scoring opening stanza. Belhaven held a narrow 7-6 margin after 10 minutes of defensive play.
Going into the second quarter, Franklin, Roe and Warren sank two-point shots to heat up the Major offense.
Millsaps would remain in front utilizing two Novak free throws, but the Blazers would answer back to knot the game at 16-16.
Another Warren layup and an Adams free throw make would give the Majors a 25-18 lead going into halftime.
In the third quarter, Millsaps would see their lead grow to nine courtesy of a Novak three-pointer.
The Blazers would take advantage of a free-throw opportunity to cut the lead down to five midway through the frame. Franklin then later closed out the third quarter with a layup to push the Majors ahead, 42-35.
Franklin and freshman
Garin Freeman both tallied layups to open the final quarter, giving the Majors a nine-point cushion.
A made layup by the Belhaven would close the gap to three points at 53-50 with five minutes remaining. Franklin responded with a 5-0 run of her own to push the lead to eight points with 3:12 on the clock.
A Warren jumper followed by another Franklin layup put the game out of reach with less than a minute to play. Millsaps would snuff the Blazers for a 62-53 triumph.
The Majors will be back in action on Saturday, hosting the Millsaps Fall Classic. Millsaps will face St. Thomas at 2 p.m. Live video and live stats will be provided at gomajors.com.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Millsaps women's basketball program follow the Majors on Twitter and Instagram, like Millsaps Majors Athletics on Facebook or visit gomajors.com.
