MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Millsaps College women's basketball team opened its 2026-27 campaign with a 63-53 victory over Huntingdon College on Sunday inside the Catherine Dixon Roland Arena.
The Majors showcased their determination throughout the contest, maintaining their composure as Huntingdon attempted to mount a late second-half comeback. Millsaps responded with timely baskets and clutch free throws to secure the triumph.
Named a Preseason All-American by D3hoops.com, the Little Rock, Ark., native showcased why she earned the honor. Senior Garin Freeman recorded a double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds while adding four assists to lead the Majors
Junior Anaya Lewis also made a significant impact, finishing with 13 points while shooting an efficient 6-of-7 from the floor.
Senior Tia Anderson also added 13 points against the Hawks while boasting five rebounds and one block.
Freshman Briley Brothers battled strong inside the paint, recording nine rebounds, including five offensive boards, in her collegiate debut on the court.
The Majors applied early pressure on the Hawks, scoring the first six points of the opening quarter.
Lewis opened the scoring with two layups off assists from Freeman and senior Bailey Johnson before Freeman added two free throws to give Millsaps a 6-0 lead.
Huntingdon soon trimmed the deficit to two points, but Freeman answered with two more free throws to maintain the Majors' advantage at 8-4.
Anderson later converted two free throws to close out the quarter, sending Millsaps into the second period with an 18-8 lead.
Millsaps continued to build its advantage in the second quarter, extending the lead to 24-10 on Freeman's layup with 7:19 remaining following a pair of early baskets from Anderson.
Lewis contributed five points in the period as the Majors added 12 points in the paint.
However, Huntingdon closed the half with a 5-0 run to trim the deficit. Millsaps carried a 35-28 advantage into halftime.
Millsaps held Huntingdon scoreless for nine consecutive possessions in the third quarter, a stretch that spanned from 7:15 to 1:24 and helped the Majors maintain a 43-31 advantage.
Pearl River Community College junior transfer Mattison Bell scored during that defensive stand, while Freeman added two layups before converting a free throw with two seconds remaining. Millsaps carried a 44-33 lead into the fourth quarter.
In the final quarter, Huntingdon narrowed Millsaps' lead to 46-44. The Majors responded with a 6-0 run featuring a Lewis jumper, an Anderson free throw, and a Johnson 3-pointer to extend the lead to 52-44.
Millsaps made 10 free throws in the fourth quarter, with Freeman and Bell adding late points to secure the 63-53 victory.
The Majors will be back on Thursday, Nov. 12 for their home opener against Lyon College beginning at 7 p.m. inside the Hangar Dome . Live video will be provided at FloCollege.com, while live stats will be provided on 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.
