ST. PAUL, Minn. — Millsaps College’s women’s basketball team fell to No. 13 Bethel University 81-73 Friday in the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament. The Majors, making their second NCAA appearance, finished the season with a 21-8 record under first-year head coach Jeff Wilbur and assistant Ciara Jackson.
The game was closely contested, with nine ties and 18 lead changes. Millsaps outrebounded Bethel 44-36, including 18 offensive rebounds, but the Royals excelled at the free-throw line, converting 17 of 25 attempts, which proved decisive in the final quarter.
Junior Tia Anderson led the Majors with 24 points, four three-pointers, and 13 rebounds. She finished her season with 69 three-pointers and 484 points, ranking her tied for 25th in NCAA Division III for made three-pointers. Classmate Garin Freeman contributed 14 points and 12 assists for a double-double, and senior Elyse Warren added 13 points and 13 rebounds. Warren concluded her career with 55 double-doubles and set the conference record with 1,219 rebounds.
Senior Maddy Maw scored 12 points and recorded two steals in her final game. The Raymond, Mississippi native played her last college game with determination, contributing on both ends of the floor. The game started with Bethel taking an early 2-0 lead, but Warren responded with a layup to get the Majors on the board. The teams traded leads throughout the first quarter, with Anderson hitting a key three to give Millsaps a 20-17 advantage.
In the second quarter, Freeman kept the Majors competitive with several transition layups. Bethel used the three-point shot to take a 32-26 lead, but Millsaps responded with back-to-back layups from Maw and a three from Johnson to regain the lead at 38-35 at halftime. The third quarter saw both teams exchange points, with Anderson hitting a crucial three to put Millsaps ahead 50-48. The Royals reclaimed the lead late in the period, but Freeman’s spinning move kept the Majors in contention.
In the final quarter, Warren and Maw kept the Majors close, but Bethel’s free-throw shooting in the closing minutes sealed their victory. Millsaps faced foul trouble and was unable to overcome the Royals’ free throws, ultimately losing 81-73. The team’s season ends with a 21-8 record, highlighted by a strong playoff run and record-setting performances by Warren and Anderson.
The team and coaching staff will now look ahead to next season. Fans can follow the program on social media and at gomajors.com for updates.
