JACKSON, Miss. — The Millsaps men's basketball team took care of business by taking down the Southern Athletic Association newcomers Southwestern University, 83-73 inside the Hangar Dome on Friday night.
The Majors established control early with a commanding 46-23 lead by halftime, fueled by a 45 percent clip from the floor (27-of-60).
Southwestern closed the gap in the second half, scoring 50 points, but could not overcome the early deficit. The Pirates were sank by only connecting on seven percent of 3-point attempts in the first half (1-of-14).
Millsaps improved to 11-4 overall and 2-2 in Southern Athletic Association play following their victory. The Pirates now hold a record of 7-8 overall and 1-3 in SAA competition.
Junior Davion James lead the Majors in Friday's matchup against Southwestern with a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 5-of-6 from the free-throw line.
Senior Caleb Kent added 17 points and recorded three assists, contributing significantly to the team's offense.
Junior Jaxon Toney posted 17 points and added a season-high of four blocks against his opponents. Toney also added six rebounds and one steal on defense while shooting 7-of-8 from the floor.
Senior Dakota Gasca recorded six assists and three steals, effectively facilitating plays and disrupting the opponent's offense.
Junior Colt Donley also chipped in a dozen points and six boards, shooting an efficient 6-of-7 from the free-throw line.
The Majors opened the game with a strong defensive presence, converting turnovers into fast-break opportunities.
Toney initiated the scoring with a steal and subsequent layup by Gasca 20 seconds in. Millsaps consistently pressured the Pirates, forcing 11 turnovers and securing eight steals in the first half.
Kent and James fueled a 14–0 run midway through the half, extending the lead to 21–8. By the end of the first half, Millsaps capitalized on their advantage in the paint, leading 46–23.
Millsaps maintained their lead during the second half, starting with Kent's pair of free throws at 19:22, which set the tone.
Despite Southwestern's attempts to close the gap, Millsaps extended their lead with a three-pointer from Toney, making it 68-60 with 7:32 remaining.
Gasca added another crucial trey as he side-faked a defender and stepped into his long-range make. The trey pushed the Majors ahead, 71-63 with 4:48 to follow.
Clutch free throws and Donley's two-handed jam in the final seconds sealed the triumph as the Majors concluded the game with an 83–73 victory on Friday night.
Millsaps will next host another SAA newcomer in Trinity University on Sunday at 2 p.m. inside the Hangar Dome. Live video and live stats will be available at gomajors.com.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Millsaps College women'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.
