BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Millsaps men's basketball team secured an efficient, 99-85 triumph over LaGrange College to close out the Hawks Classic at Roland Arena on Saturday.
Millsaps took control in the second half, fueled by a strong performance in the paint with 58 points and capitalized on 14 steals to gain their momentum.
Lagrange's efforts, including seven successful 3-pointers as Millsaps built an 18-point lead late in the second half to seal the win.
Senior
Caleb Kent scored 16 points, converting 8 of 12 shots from the field. Junior
Davion James Jr. added 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while also making all eight of his free throw attempts from the charity stripe.
Junior
Jaxon Toney contributed 18 points and collected 10 rebounds, the University of Tampa transfer finished with a double-double to shutdown the Panthers becoming a huge threat inside the post.
Classmate
Cameron Lumar tallied 15 points and dished out three assists, complementing his defensive play with five rebounds. junior
David Combest Jr silenced his opponents with 14 points, five rebounds while shooting 6-for-8 from the field and 2-for-3 from the line.
Millsaps opened the game strongly with Toney contributing an early lead with a layup at the 19th minute setting the tone high for the Majors.
Millsaps maintained their edge through out the contest with consistent scoring inside the paint, highlighted by junior
Rodney Phillips Jr.'s layup with 2:27 minutes remaining on the clock to keep the fire going for the Majors.
Millsaps' defense became crucial, forcing turnovers and capitalizing on both sides of the ball. However as the contest continued Combest Jr. scored a pivotal layup at 0:20 following a steal to give the Majors some breathing room closing out the first half ahead 46-45.
The Majors extended their lead significantly in the second half, following the Panthers turnovers and their efficient scoring. Lumar's layup at 19:36 minutes pushed the Majors lead to 48-45 after junior
Colt Donley secured a steal on defense in close action against LaGrange.
Millsaps continuing to play well offensively and defensively against the Panther. James Jr. executing a crucial layup at 3:59 following his own steal. Millsaps' defensive shutdown and timely free throws further their advantage within the matchup, resulting in a decisive 99–85 victory on Saturday.
The Majors will be back in action on Tuesday to face Belhaven at home beginning at 7:30 p.m. Live video and live stats will be available at gomajors.com.
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 and 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.
