JACKSON, Miss. – The Belhaven University men's basketball team gave Millsaps its first loss of the season Tuesday evening, defeating the Majors 70-63 in the Riverside Rumble on the court.
With the win, Belhaven improves to 4-5 on the season, while the Majors fell to 8-1.
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INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Belhaven 70 | Millsaps 63
Records: Belhaven (4-5) | Millsaps (8-1)
Location: Rugg Arena | Jackson, Miss.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
- Both the Blazers and Majors kept pace with each other through the first ten minutes of the first half before a Kelvin Pruitt layup put Belhaven ahead 18-13 with 10:39 left in the half.
- Under three minutes remaining until the break, Belhaven began to gain the momentum in the game, reaching its highest lead of the contest with an eight point deficit after Austin Reed knocked down layup to increase the Green and Gold lead to 29-22
- With time winding down in the first half, the Majors put together a 7-0 run to tie the game up with twenty-four seconds left, 29-29.
- Belhaven led 31-29 until a foul with 0.2 seconds, on the clock, put Millsaps to the line with a chance to tie the game heading into the break. Millsaps knocked down 1-of-2 free throws as Belhaven went to the break up 31-30.
- The Blazers used an 8-0 run out of the break to increase its lead to 39-30 and in a matter of moments led the Majors, 48-35, just six minutes to the second half.
- With 3:49 left in regulation, Belhaven looked to have control of the game, up 59-48.
- Yet, back to back threes from Millsaps' Michael Sullivan, brought Millsaps back within six points.
- The Majors began to tighten up the defense, limiting Belhaven's ball movement by double teaming at times, and in two and a half minutes cut the Blazer lead to two points, 63-61.
- The final fifty-seconds on the contest were crucial as Belhaven knocked down multiple free throws to claim a 70-63 victory over their previously unbeaten rival, Millsaps.
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KEY STATISTICS
- Kelvin Pruitt had a solid game, leading Belhaven with 14 points on the night, while adding 5 rebounds and two steals.
- John Works added 9 points in the contest along with 5 rebounds and two steals.
- Joseph Jones finished with 8 points and three Blazers (Joshua Roberts, Rick Hodum, Austin Reed) had 7 points. Roberts also had 5 rebounds. Brosnan Cooks led Belhaven with 6 rebounds on the night.
- As a team, Belhaven was 24-of-54 from the field. The Blazers added 34 points in the paint and 38 points off the bench.
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UP NEXT
The Blazers will take a few days off for the Christmas Holidays before returning to Rugg Arena next Saturday, December 29 to take on the Mississippi University for Women. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m.
For the latest news on Belhaven Blazers athletics, follow @BelhavenBlazers on Twitterand Instagram, and like us on Facebook.
