NEW YORK – The Millsaps women's basketball team tallied its 10th consecutive victory by downing Williams College, 63-59 in the D3 NYC Invitational in ARC Arena on the campus of Baruch College on Tuesday.
 
Junior Haley Franklin, who today was named to the D3hoops.com's Women's Basketball Team of the Week, presented by Scoutware, tallied a game-high 24 points. She added three blocks, three assists and a steal.
 
Sophomore Elyse Warren recorded five points, 11 rebounds, four blocks and a steal. Freshman Garin Freeman garnered 10 points, a career-best four blocks and added a steal. Both juniors Whitney Novak (seven points) and Taylor Frank (six points) hauled in eight boards. Additionally, senior Helena Roe had an all-around solid performance with eight points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal.
 
Williams (6-5) held a narrow 14-12 lead through 10 minutes of action. A stellar defensive press by Millsaps (10-1) troubled the Ephs early, resulting in 12 first-half turnovers. The teams entered halftime tied at 29-29 with the Majors holding a 13-2 edge with points off turnovers at the midway point.
 
Millsaps would end the contest with a 22-8 forced-turnover advantage and owned a 23-3 points-off-turnover margin. The Majors also were advantageous on the break, securing a 19-11 edge in fastbreak points.
 
The Ephs started the second half strong with a 7-0 run, but Millsaps used an identical 7-0 rally to cut an early deficit down to 41-40 halfway through the third quarter. A freshman Tia Anderson trey forced Williams to call a timeout at that point.
 
A Freeman free-throw make would later give Millsaps its first advantage of the half with 1:15 remaining in the third frame. The Ephs responded with a layup to hold a 48-47 margin with 10 minutes remaining.
 
The teams would trade baskets early in the fourth quarter. Novak used a driving layup to put Millsaps out front, 51-50 with 8:18 on the clock. A Roe trey made it 56-54 moments later with 5:04 on the clock.
 
Williams took the lead, but Franklin then gave Millsaps the advantage back with driving layup after collecting the crucial offensive rebound with 2:20 left. The Ephs tied it at 58-58 following a free throw, but Frank would draw a huge charge moments later with a minute to play.
 
Franklin used the possession to drive through the lane and delivered a stellar up-and-under layup to put Millsaps up, 60-58 with 41.8 seconds remaining. After a Williams free-throw make, Novak would add a pair of free throws and a crucial defensive rebound to ice the game away. Roe added a free throw for the final, 63-59 tally and the Empire State victory.
 
The Majors continue their stay in the D3 NYC Invitational by facing Mary-Hardin Baylor on Wednesday, starting at 12 p.m. CT. Live video and live stats will be available at gomajors.com.


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