JACKSON, Miss. – The Millsaps women's basketball team used tenacious defensive to down Austin College, 62-45 inside the Hangar Dome on Saturday.
 
The Kangaroos held a narrow advantage after the first quarter, but the Majors came alive after holding the visitors to 23.4 percent (15-of-64) from the floor. Austin was held to 14.3 percent from long range (5-of-35), while Millsaps outshot their opponents by netting 39.7 percent (23-of-58) from the floor.
 
Junior Haley Franklin garnered 12 points, five assists and four rebounds, while senior Maddie Howell generated 12 points (4-7 3FG) and three boards. Classmate Helena Roe tallied nine points and five boards, sophomore Elyse Warren grabbed nine boards and freshman Garin Freeman chipped in eight points and three assists.
 
Austin (1-4) held the Majors to 25 percent shooting in the first quarter to open with a 17-12 advantage. The visitors would lead by as much as 25-15, but the Majors would close the half on an 15-2 run and enter intermission out front, 30-27. The last Millsaps (4-1) basket of the first half came following an exquisite spin move under the basket by Freeman.
 
Howell would later spark the Majors with back-to-back treys to push Millsaps out front, 48-27 with three minutes remaining in the third frame.
 
The teams would play even in the fourth quarter with several reserves seeing time. The Millsaps bench outscored Austin College, 31-16 and owned the paint by a 26-12 margin. The Majors would cruise to a 62-45 triumph in their opener of the Millsaps Thanksgiving Classic.
 
Millsaps will next host Centenary College on Sunday, beginning at 2 p.m. with live stats and video provided at gomajors.com.


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