GEORGETOWN, Texas - Taylor Meades' three point bankshot with five seconds left on the clock pushed Millsaps just past Southwestern after the Pirates led throughout the majority of the second half.
After a slow start to the game both teams got hot, Southwestern using their suffocating defense to keep the Majors out of the lane while MC relied on a high post entry and kick out to the perimeter to build a nine point lead, 31-22, with just under three minutes to go in the half.
Southwestern chipped away at the lead and Travis Kurtz's three in the corner with the shot clock nearing zero brought SU within four, 31-27, with just over a minute to go and the teams would go into the break with the count remaining the same.
The Pirates rocketed out of the gate, embarking on a 7-4 run to snag the lead 35-34 on Logan Hurley's three pointer minutes into the game. Southwestern was able to stay just out of reach with a great team effort on both ends and led by five, 52-47, halfway through the second half.
Millsaps pulled with two points being patient on offense, but Hurley's jumper pushed SU's lead back to five with 5:46 on the clock, forcing the Majors into a timeout.
Southwestern continued to be patient offensively and got big offensive rebounds from James Davenport to keep the clock moving and remain in control of the game. Millsaps' Brian Merkel hit a pair of free throws after being fouled in transition to move the Majors within two, 62-60, as the clock ticked under a minute. SU worked the clock down, getting an open look from three point range with seconds on the shot clock. The shot was off the mark but Hurley battled for the rebound and allowed the Pirates to retain possession with 52 seconds left.
MC immediately fouled twice to get in position to put the Pirates on the line. After a timeout by the Majors Southwestern got back to work, inbounding the ball near mid-court. Logan Hurley gathered the inbounds pass just past the half-line and drove to the hoop, draining a jumper just outside the lane with two players in his face, giving the Pirates a four point lead, 64-60.
After another timeout Millsaps' Tully Gilligan took the ball the length of the floor and hit a running jumper in the lane in five seconds to pull the Majors within two, 64-62, with 35 seconds remaining. SU threw the inbounds pass out of bounds trying to go long and gave the ball back to MC under their basket. The Pirates played tough defense as they had all game and forced the Majors into a tough, rushed shot that clanged off the backboard and Michael Cantu secured the rebound.
Millsaps fouled to put the Pirates on the line and it worked as Cantu missed the front end of the one-and-one. The Majors took the rebound down the court in a hurry and found Meades open in the right corner. His shot sailed towards the backboard and took a Major bounce off the glass and into the basket to give MC a one point lead, 65-64 with under five seconds to go. Southwestern wasn't able to get a shot off in the final seconds as Millsaps stole the 65-64 win.
Hurley led with 18 points and seven rebounds while Kurtz chipped in 10. Meades and Nick Cortese both posted 17 points to lead for the Majors.
The loss drops the Pirates to 1-17 on the year and 1-8 in the SCAC while Millsaps improves to 8-10 and 3-7. Southwestern remains at home to face Rhodes College on Saturday night at 8pm.
