GEORGETOWN, Texas – Seniors Staley Mullins and Anna Fareed made three crucial free throws to take and retain the lead with less than 30 seconds to play to defeat Millsaps College 70-68 on Sunday afternoon. Southwestern improves to 11-3 on the year and 3-2 in the SCAC while the Majors fall to 6-7 on the year and 3-2 in conference, moving both teams into a four way tie for the lead in the West.

Southwestern was slow to start the game and trailed by six, 7-13, with 13:52 to play until their outside shooting became a factor as the Pirates shot 55.6% from three point range in the opening period. Three straight three point shots, two by first year Bri Guevara, gave Southwestern a seven point lead with three minutes to play in the half. Millsaps was able to bring the game back even by jumping the passing lanes, recording six steals and forcing SU into 14 turnovers in the first half as the game was deadlocked at 29-29 heading into the break.

As the second half got underway the score remained close and the two teams were locked for the fifth time 47-47 with 11:11 remaining in the contest. Millsaps jumped out on a 10-0 run over the next three minutes to pull ahead 57-47 with 8:55 remaining.

Teams exchanged baskets before Southwestern came charging back. Down by nine with 6:27 to play the Pirates embarked on a 6-0 run to pull within three points, 62-59, on a layup by Mullins with just over four minutes to go.

After trading baskets Millsaps came down the floor and got the ball to leading scorer Janice Okeke for a layup to push the Majors up by five 61-66 with 2:45 to play. Fareed answered with six points over the next minute to give Southwestern their first lead of the game since the 12 minute mark.

MC's Shante Morton's layup sent the lead back to the Majors, 68-67 with 40 seconds left but Mullins was fouled in the act of shooting on the block and had nerves of steel, draining both free throws to give the lead back to Southwestern with 28 seconds remaining.

A long, wide open three by Shatoya White on the right wing bounced off the front of the rim and Fareed chased down the rebound as the clock ticked down, was fouled and made one of two to give SU the two point lead. With less than a second remaining on the clock the Majors were unable to get a shot off and Southwestern earned the 70-68 victory.

Both teams shot 44.4% from the floor but SU had a slightly better three point percentage at 43.8% to MC's 33.3%. Free throws were the difference maker as the Pirates attempted twice as many free throws as the Majors (20-10) and made eight more (15-7).

Fareed led the way with 16 points while Mullins added in 14. Leeder chipped in 13 and first-year Lauren Elliott came off the bench to contribute ten points and tied for a team high nine rebounds with Katelyn Bartell (pictured). MC's Okeke led all scorers and rebounders with 23 points and 18 boards.

Southwestern returns to the road to face Oglethorpe on Friday night at 6:00 EST.