JACKSON, Miss. — Millsaps defeated Belhaven, 76-73 with high-flying highlights in a thrilling back-and-forth matchup inside the Hangar Dome on Tuesday night.

Millsaps capitalized on a strong inside game, scoring 42 points in the paint, while also forcing 12 steals to claim a close contest. Despite Belhaven's 18 second-chance points and a late surge, Millsaps held firm, securing the victory in a matchup that featured 11 ties and 21 lead changes.

Millsaps improved to 3-0 overall with their victory over Belhaven, matching the program's best start since the 2018-19 season. Belhaven (2-2) forced 24 turnovers, but were unable to take advantage of 24 points of those turnovers. 

Junior Jaxon Toney recorded a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds, adding two blocks to his performance. Classmate Cameron Lumar scored 17 points, four assists and contributed seven rebounds, while also making eight-of-11 free throws.

Classmate Colt Donley added 11 points and distributed four assists, finishing with five rebounds. Junior Davion James recorded four steals and scored nine points, while his colleague David Combest Jr. added 10 points and five boards.

A Lumar and Comebest Jr. pair of three-pointers contributed to an early 12–6 advantage. Millsaps capitalized on inside scoring, notably with Toney's dunk with 47 seconds left in the half, allowing them to maintain a slim edge. Despite multiple ties, Millsaps closed the first half ahead, 37–33, by effectively converting opportunities in the paint.

Millsaps initiated the second half with momentum, highlighted by a Comebest Jr. jumper building on their lead. The teams would exchange the lead on multiple occasions before a James free throw followed a pair of Lumar makes from the line gave Millsaps a 70-69 advantage with 1:15 remaining.

Belhaven scored a layup on the next possession before James converted a layup off a nifty pass from Donley with 49 seconds left.

The highlight of the game followed with Toney blocking a Blazer attempt and then slammed home a missed Major layup, electrifying the crowd and pushing Millsaps ahead at 74-71.

The Blazers made a tip-in shot with nine seconds to play, trailing by one point. Donley was then fouled and converted both free throws in the double bonus. 

With 1.4 seconds on the clock, the Blazers were fouled on a shot far from the basket. After a review, the play was determined to be a two-point attempt. Belhaven missed the first free throw and intially missed the second. However, the rebound was tipped to a Donley and the Majors celebrated a thrilling 76-73 triumph in the packed Hangar Dome.

Millsaps will remain at home and next host MUW, beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday. Live video and live stats will be provided 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.