GEORGETOWN, Texas – Jordan Owens eclipsed 1000 career points with a huge 20 point night while Chelsea Leeder posted a career high 32 points in SU's 78-66 win over Millsaps to kick off 2014.
Millsaps had an impassioned start and pulled ahead by eight, 14-6, just over four minutes into the game. SU quickly regrouped and used perfect half court execution to make a 21-3 run and lead by ten, 27-17, after trailing. Chelsea Leeder was a catalyst for the Pirates with 18 first half points on 7-8 shooting from the floor and 2-3 from three point range while also grabbing seven rebounds.
Velvet Johnson posted ten points in the opening frame with a team high five rebounds, but did so by getting into foul trouble, committing three fouls in the first half.
The Majors came out of halftime on a mission and quickly all but erased the Pirates' lead, pulling within four, 41-37, four minutes in. MC's Miah Brooks hit the offensive glass hard and put in 11 second chance points to keep the Majors within striking distance, 56-53 with eight minutes to play.
Leeder and Owens teamed up to take over the game as they combined for 17 points in the final eight minutes to send Southwestern out with the win.
Leeder ended with 32 points on 13-15 shooting from the field and 4-5 from three point range while also pulling down a game-high 11 boards. Owens added in 20 points in just 24 minutes to action. MC's Velvet Johnson led the Majors with 20 points.
Southwestern shot 51.9% from the floor and 36.4% from three point range while Millsaps was held to 44.1% from the floor and 29.2% from long range.
The win improves Southwestern to 4-8 on the year while Millsaps falls to 5-4. SU remains at home to return to SCAC Conference action on Friday, facing Schreiner at 8 pm.