MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Millsaps women's basketball center
Elyse Warren put in a career-best effort, helping the Majors defeat Rhodes College, 55-36 at the Mallory Gymnasium on Saturday. Warren grabbed an NCAA Division III single-game leading, program- and Southern Athletic Association record 33 rebounds.
Warren, who recently set the program's career rebounding record, set the SCAC and SAA era rebounding marks. The feat is equally rare and impressive as the last NCAA Division III student-athlete to grab 34 boards came in Dec. 2018.
Millsaps (10-2, 1-0 SAA) rebounding prowess led to 24 second-chance points. Rhodes' also struggled offensively, shooting just 20 percent from the field. The 36 points were the lowest total the Majors allowed in an SAA contest since Feb. 2020. It was also the least amount of points the Lynx scored in the matchup all-time.
Millsaps maintained a steady lead throughout the game, controlling the pace and securing their first conference victory.
Warren tied a career-best 24 points and collected an impressive 33 rebounds (15 offensive, 18 defensive), adding two steals and an assist.
Junior
Garin Freeman scored 12 points, grabbed seven rebounds, dished out three assists and contributed defensively with three steals. Sophomore
Anaya Lewis added six points and matched Freeman's rebounding effort with seven boards. Junior
Tia Anderson finished with nine points and secured10 rebounds.
Millsaps opened the second quarter by overcoming an early deficit to take control. Audrey Griffith opened with a three-pointer for Rhodes, assisted by AC Milam, giving them an early lead. However, Millsaps quickly responded with Warren's tip-in at 7:44, regaining the lead at 17-16. Freeman extended Millsaps' advantage with a layup at 6:01, pushing the score to 21-18.
Millsaps dominated inside during the period, scoring 12 points in the paint while holding Rhodes scoreless from the same area. Rhodes managed just one field goal in the quarter, while Warren continued her strong performance with multiple offensive rebounds and a layup at 3:37, helping Millsaps finish the quarter with a 27-19 lead.
In the third quarter, the Majors maintained control, outscoring the Lynx, 13-8. Millsaps took control with a decisive 11–0 run, initiated by Lewis's jumper at 8:10 and capped by Freeman's 3-pointer at 4:48, increasing the lead to 36–21. Rhodes struggled to close the gap, finishing the quarter trailing 40-27.
Millsaps secured a decisive victory with a strong performance in the fourth quarter. Junior
Bailey Johnson opened the final quarter with a three-pointer at 9:41, assisted by Freeman, to extend the advantage. Millsaps outscored Rhodes 15-9 in the quarter, sealing the win.
The Majors will remain on the road and take on Centre College in Danville, Ky., on Friday. Opening tip is set for 5 p.m. CT with live video and live stats 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.
