GEORGETOWN, Texas – After leading by 19 points at halftime the Pirates of Southwestern University were defeated in their SCAC conference match-up against Millsaps College 84-82 in double overtime on Sunday afternoon. The loss drops SU to 4-10 on the season and 2-3 in the SCAC while Millsaps improves to 7-6 and 2-3.
Southwestern jumped out to an early lead in the first half and built up a 19 point lead, 40-21, heading into halftime helped by a 2-11 free throw performance by the Majors.
Millsaps was a different team in the second half and they steadily chipped away at Southwestern's lead until eventually pulling even, 60-60, with just under four minutes remaining in regulation. Robbie Hanley's jumper gave SU the lead back with 3:12 to play and then the Pirates got a big defensive stop, forcing a shot clock violation with two minutes left.
Southwestern swung the ball around the perimeter, found Logan Hurley open in the high post who then dumped it down to Jonathan Brown. Brown was fouled and drained both free throws to give SU a three point lead, 64-61, with 54 seconds remaining.
Millsaps' Nick Cortese hit a three from the baseline to tie the game once again, 64-64, and Brown's jumper at the buzzer fell short sending the game into overtime.
The lead changed hands three times in the first overtime and with 2:04 remaining in the extra frame Millsaps found themselves up by one point, 73-72 after a free throw by Taylor Meades. Southwestern was unable to answer on the next possession but got another chance when Hurley blocked a deep three point attempt by Cortese and Michael Cantu was fouled on the transition layup, earning two free throws. Cantu hit one of two, tying the game for the seventh time, 73-73, with 12 ticks on the clock. Brian Merkel's jumper was off the mark for Millsaps to send the game to the second overtime.
It was all SU in the beginning of the second OT as they scored on their first four offensive possessions to lead by nine, 82-73, with just 2:28 left on the clock. Millsaps refused to go away, however, and came charging back with a pair of three's to pull within three points, 82-79 with 1:26 to go.
After an SU turnover Millsaps got the ball back and made the most of it as Meades' layup brought them within one, 82-81, with just over a minute remaining. Nick Caputo's three pointer was off the mark and LV Sumler was fouled on Millsaps offensive possession, earning two free throws. Sumler made both to give MC the lead for the first time in the second overtime 83-82 with 17 seconds left.
Another costly Pirate turnover forced Southwestern to foul and put Meades on the line who made just one of two, 82-84, keeping hopes alive for SU. Caputo gathered the inbounds pass and drove to the top of the key but his three pointer at the buzzer rimmed out, giving Millsaps the victory.
Southwestern shot 45.3% from the floor, 32 percent from long range while Millsaps shot 46% from the floor and 45.7% from three point. Over half of the Majors' field goals came from three point range, covering their abysmal 37% free throw percentage.
Caputo led in scoring for the Pirates with 23 points while Brown added 21 and Cantu and Hurley each had 13. Meades led all scorers with 28 points going 7-11 from three point range. Hanley had a game high nine boards and five assists.
Southwestern moves into a tie with Millsaps for fourth place in the West and look to rebound on the road as they head to Oglethorpe on Friday. Game time is set for 8:00 EST.
