JACKSON, Miss. – The Millsaps women's basketball team delivered one of its most complete performances of the season and downed Hendrix, 74-57 inside the Hangar Dome on Sunday to secure the seventh regular-season conference title in program history.
Millsaps (21-4, 12-2 SAA) claimed its sixth regular-season conference title in the Southern Athletic Association (SAA), dating back to the 2012-13 season. The Majors also secured the same success following the 1995-96 season in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC).
The 74-57 triumph ensured Millsaps would host the SAA Women's Basketball Tournament Semifinals and Finals (Feb. 24-25) if it advances past the SAA First Round. The Majors will host either Birmingham-Southern or Hendrix, who will be slotted as the No. 8 seed, next Sunday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. in the First Round matchup.
Sunday doubled as Senior Day and saw seniors
Maddie Howell (Denham Springs, La.) and
Helena Roe (Madison, Miss.) recognized prior to tipoff.
It was an extremely balanced effort against Hendrix (4-20, 2-11 SAA) as seven Majors scored between six and 14 points. Sophomore
Elyse Warren posted her 11th double-double of the season off the bench (14 points, 11 rebounds).
Junior
Haley Franklin followed with 13 points, five rebounds and an assist. Roe (two steals, two blocks, two assists) and junior
Taylor Frank (four rebounds, three steals) both tallied eight points.
Freshman
Garin Freeman (three assists, two rebounds, one steal) added 11 points and freshman
Tia Anderson (seven rebounds, one block) recorded 10 points.
Millsaps grabbed 11 steals and forced 20 turnovers and outscored the Warriors, 36-14 in the paint. Hendrix found success at the free-throw line (16-of-20) but were held to 33 percent from the floor (17-of-51).
The Majors jumped out front 13-0 courtesy of eight Roe points moments after the senior celebration. The lead would grow to 15 points and hold strong at 22-9 after the opening quarter.
A Franklin layup gave Millsaps a 21-point advantage with 3:19 remaining in the half. Hendrix would cut into the lead, but still trail 34-20 at intermission.
Howell netted a trey to kick start the second half and the Majors eventually built a 25-point margin in the quarter.
Hendrix would bite again into the deficit to trail by 13 points with 2:50 remaining, but Millsaps held strong to secure the 74-57 triumph.
Millsaps has concluded its regular season and will await their opponent following the final slate of SAA games on Wednesday. Live video and live stats for the SAA First Round contest scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday will be provided at gomajors.com.
Millsaps WBB Conference Regular Season Championships
2023-24 – SAA
2020-21 – SAA
2018-19 – SAA
2015-16 – SAA
2014-15 – SAA
2012-13 – SAA
1995-96 – SCAC
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