JACKSON, Miss. – A collective team effort propelled the Millsaps women's basketball team past Hendrix, 82-67 in the SAA Tournament First Round inside the Hangar Dome on Sunday.
 
Millsaps (22-4, 12-2 SAA) improved its home record to 14-0 and ensured the Majors, with their No. 1 seed, would host the SAA Tournament Second Round and SAA Women's Basketball Championship next weekend.

Sunday's contest saw two double-doubles, while junior Haley Franklin (three rebounds, two assists) posted a game-high 23 points. The reigning SAA Women's Basketball Athlete of the Week eclipsed 20 points for the 11th time this season.

Freshman Garin Freeman recorded her first collegiate double-double with 14 points and an impressive, career-high 11 assists to go along with five steals and two rebounds. Freeman was a true difference maker, posting a 26-point advantage when she was on the court.

No stranger to double digits, sophomore Elyse Warren garnered her 12th double-double thus far with 19 points, 17 rebounds and added an assist.

Other offensive contributors included freshman Tia Anderson (13 points, four rebounds) and junior Emily Adams (nine points, three assists, two steals), while classmate Whitney Novak grabbed seven boards.

The Majors outscored the Warriors, 46-14 in the paint and outshot the visitors 46.3 percent (31-of-67) to 39.7 percent (23-of-58) from the floor.

After a tight start that featured seven ties and seven lead changes, Millsaps outscored their opponents 49-33 during the second and third quarters combined.

Hendrix (4-22, 2-12 SAA) looked ready from the jump, having played the Majors in Jackson on Feb. 11. The Warriors claimed an early 6-2 margin, but Millsaps would fight back to take the lead at 12-11 midway through the first quarter.
 
The game would seesaw back and forth with Hendrix clinging to a 29-27 lead. Millsaps then raced ahead with a 10-0 rally to take control, which was punctuated by a Franklin 3-pointer as the halftime horn sounded.

Not going away without a fight, the Warriors eventually tied the game at 42-42 with 5:26 to go in the third quarter. Millsaps again collected itself and sparked a 21-6 run to close the quarter comfortably ahead by 15.

Adams would connect on two treys and Franklin netted a pair of jumpers in the fourth to help grow the margin to 21 points with 3:20 on the clock. The Majors would hold steady for an 82-67 postseason victory.

Millsaps will next face No. 4 seed Rhodes in the SAA Tournament Second Round, beginning at 3 p.m. inside the Hangar Dome on Saturday, Feb. 24. Live video and live stats for all remaining SAA Women's Basketball Championship games will be provided at gomajors.com.

2024 SAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

Sunday, Feb. 18 – First Round
No. 1 Millsaps 82, No. 8 Hendrix 67
No. 4 Rhodes 73, No. 5 Sewanee 70 – 2OT
No. 3 Centre 68, No. 6 Oglethorpe 63
No. 2 Berry 73, No. 7 Birmingham-Southern 53

Saturday, Feb. 24 – Second Round
3 p.m. – No. 1 Millsaps vs. No. 4 Rhodes
5 p.m. – No. 2 Berry vs. No. 3 Centre
 
Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024 – Championship
2 p.m. – Second Round Winners


To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Millsaps women's basketball program follow the Majors on Twitter and Instagram, like Millsaps Majors Athletics on Facebook or visit gomajors.com.