JACKSON, Miss. — The Millsaps College men's basketball team pulled off a thrilling win over MUW, 81-75 on Friday at the Hangar Dome in a close non-conference matchup. The Majors capitalized on 15 steals to generate 20 points off turnovers and maintained a strong presence in the paint with 50 points.

The Owls kept the game tight, trailing by just two at halftime and finishing with 44 points in the paint.

Millsaps improved to 4-0 overall with the victory and are off to the program's best start since the 2018-19 season. MUW (1-3) shot 52.5 percent (31-for-59), but it was not enough.

Senior Caleb Kent scored 19 points (9-for-13 FG) and collected 10 rebounds in a double-double effort. Junior Davion James recorded 12 points and posted four steals with six assists.

Classmate Jaxon Toney finished with 15 points and added seven rebounds. Fellow junior Colt Donley contributed 14 points, making six of 10 shots from the field.

Millsaps started the game with a quick layup by James, setting the tone for a back-and-forth contest that featured six ties and six lead changes.

Midway through the half, the Majors built their largest lead of the contest at 10 points following a Donley trey, making it 25-15. The Majors sustained their momentum with a defensive stand, but MUW battled to close the half, trailing 38-36. A block by Toney at the buzzer kept Millsaps out front.

The Majors surged ahead early in the second half with a quick layup by Toney, assisted by Lumar. The home team maintained their lead with strong defensive plays, including steals by James and Lumar early in the second half.

Despite the Owls' attempts to close the gap, Millsaps consistently responded with effective scoring, highlighted by a big 3-pointer from senior Dakota Gasca at 15:52, assisted by James.

MUW fought back and created a six-point advantage with 8:21 remaining and ahead, 65-59. Kent converted an and-one and followed with yet another jumper to create a 5-0 run and cut into the deficit.

Kent again scored a layup to put the Majors out front, 68-67 with five minutes left. Donley followed with a crucial layup with 2:30 remaining which was followed by a junior David Combest Jr. close make at the basket. Combest Jr.'s basket made it 76-73 with 1:30 to go on the game clock.

After a pair of Owl free throws, Donley put the game away with a layup and Gasca sealed the deal with a three-pointer with 44 seconds left, making it 81-75.

The Majors outscored the Owls 43–39 in the second half, and the game ended with Millsaps winning 81–75.

Millsaps will remain at home and take on Austin College, beginning at 2 p.m. on Monday.


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.