CLARKSVILLE, Ark. – The Millsaps men's basketball team held many statistical advantages against the University of the Ozarks, but fell just short, 69-61 inside Mabee Gymnasium on Thursday.
Ozarks (8-1) was outshot by the Majors, 43.1 percent (22-for-51) to 38.6 percent (22-for-57). The Majors also held a slim margin in the paint (20-16).
However, Millsaps (2-8) was unable to win the bench-points battle (29-10) and points off turnovers (23-14).
Junior Caleb Kent netted a season-high 24 points (11-for-15 FG), marking his third 20-point outing of the season. He nearly recorded a double-double with nine rebounds, one steal and one assist.
Senior Drew Roth chipped in 11 points, four rebounds and added an assist, while junior Dakota Gasca registered 10 points, three boards, five assists and a steal.
Senior Nicholas Ughovwa boasted six points, four rebounds, one block and an assist, while junior Mack Gorton generated five points.
In the opening of the first half, Kent scored the first points for Millsaps with a layup and a fadeaway jumper inside the paint.
However, the Eagles quickly responded with a three-pointer and a free throw to tie the game at 4-4. Millsaps then took the lead 12-4 to move ahead with a pair of contributing shots from Kent and Roth.
Gorton extended the lead to eight points with a three-pointer at the top of the key midway into the opening half.
The Ozarks cut their deficit to three points with two free throws, but Gasca utilized an and-one play to keep Millsaps ahead by six.
The Eagles fought back and tied the game at 24-24 with another pair of made free throws and 6-0 run. Both teams continued to trade points until Ozarks took their first lead of the game with a made three-pointer with 5:21 left in the first half.
However, the Eagles further took control by the final minute of the half scoring a three-pointer to end the half with a 39-29 lead.
In the beginning of the second half, Roth hit a three-pointer from the right side of the court as Ozarks maintained a seven-point lead.
The Eagles managed to extend their lead to 10 points following a successful three-pointer.
However, Millsaps continued to put in a strong effort on both offense and defense, reducing their deficit to just one point at 49-48 as an Ughovwa layup and Kent jumper worked together to control the paint.
Following a made layup with 3:08 remaining of the second half, the Eagles would build their lead back up to 64-54.
The Ozarks would remain in front of Millsaps for the remainder of the contest, as Gasca would score the last points for the Majors at the free-throw line. Ozarks would hold on for a 69-61 decision.
The Majors will be back in action on Saturday, Dec 28. They will face Millikin University in the Rhodes College Classic in Memphis, Tenn., beginning at 3 p.m. Visit gomajors.com for live video and live stats.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Millsaps College men's basketball program follow the Majors on X 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.
