JACKSON, Miss. – The Millsaps men's basketball team was bettered by the University of the Ozarks, 81-57 in the Millsaps College Tournament opener inside the Hangar Dome on Friday Night.
Freshman Jovanni Perez led the Majors with 14 points, while shooting 9-of-12 from the free-throw line. He also added three steals and three rebounds on defense.
Senior Nicholas Ughovwa (two steals, three blocks) and junior
Dakota Gasca (three rebounds) both registered seven points against their opponents.
Junior Caleb Kent and freshman
Samuel Holt both recorded six points.
Millsaps outscored the Eagles in total bench points (35-23), while the University of the Ozarks led the Majors in second-chance points (17-9) and points in the paint (32-20). Both teams were balanced at 13-13 in fast break points.
The University of the Ozarks opened the first half with two made free throws before Ughovwa would answer with a pair of free-throw makes of his own to tie the matchup at 2-2.
The Sulphur, La., native would soon capture a nifty spin around jump shot inside the paint to push the Majors ahead by two points moments later.
With 11:12 minutes remaining on the clock, the opposing team increased their lead up to 12 points courtesy of a three-pointer.
Positioned on top of the key with 6:42 until halftime, Holt would cut the Majors deficit down by seven at 32-25 after consecutive three-pointers.
Kent would close out the half at the free-throw line to give the Majors their last points, with the Eagles leading at halftime, 40-28.
In the second half, Gasca would find an easy driving layup, navigating toward the rim to begin the Millsaps scoring.
Sophomore Cameron Lumar would soon shorten the Eagles advantage to 42-33 following a one-handed take inside the post.
With 13 minutes on the scoreboard, Ughovwa would send back his opponents shot with a strong block out of the interior.
The Millsaps defense would continue to uphold as sophomore
Noah Babineaux would collect a block with 10 minutes remaining.
The Eagles would continue their lead for the remainder of the second half, however.
Freshman Matheus Siqueira would score a driving layup to give the Majors their last score. The University of the Ozarks would better the Majors, 81-57 on Friday night.
The Majors will be back in action to conclude the Millsaps College Tournament against Centenary, beginning at 4 p.m. inside the Hangar Dome.
Live video and live stats will be available 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.
Founded in Jackson, Mississippi in 1890, Millsaps College is a national liberal arts college dedicated to academic excellence, open inquiry and free expression, the exploration of faith to inform vocation and the innovative shaping of the social, economic and cultural progress of our region. Consistently ranked as one of the best values in higher education, Millsaps has been praised by Colleges That Change Lives, The Princeton Review, Forbes Magazine, U.S. News & World Report, The John Templeton Foundation, and The Fiske Guide to Colleges.
