Arden Hills, Minn. — The Millsaps College women’s basketball team’s season ended Friday with an 81-73 loss to No. 13 Bethel University in the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament.
The Majors, led by first-year head coach Jeff Wilbur and assistant Ciara Jackson, finished with a 21-8 record. They secured their fourth NCAA tournament appearance in program history and out-rebounded the Royals 44-40, including 18 offensive boards, according to sources.
Bethel capitalized at the free-throw line, making 17 of 25 attempts, which proved pivotal in the final quarter. The game featured nine ties and 18 lead changes, reflecting its competitive nature.
Junior Tia Anderson scored 24 points, made four three-pointers, and grabbed 13 rebounds. She closed her season with 69 three-pointers and 484 points. Classmate Garin Freeman added 14 points and 12 assists, marking a double-double. Freeman ranked third nationally with 183 assists this season.
Senior Elyse Warren contributed 13 points and 13 rebounds in her final game. The Memphis native finished her career with 55 double-doubles and a conference-record 1,219 rebounds. She plans to join the Millsaps women’s flag football team this spring.
Senior Maddy Maw scored 12 points and recorded two steals, making an impact in her final collegiate game. The Raymond, Miss., native helped keep the Majors competitive with key baskets late in the game.
The game timeline saw Bethel take an early 2-0 lead, but Warren responded with a layup. The teams traded leads throughout, with Anderson hitting a crucial three-pointer in the first quarter to give Millsaps a 20-17 lead. The Royals reclaimed a 22-22 tie at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Freeman’s transition layups kept the Majors close, but Bethel extended their lead to 32-26. Millsaps fought back with steals and timely shooting, tying the game at 39-39 at halftime.
Both teams exchanged points in the third quarter, with Anderson’s three-pointer giving Millsaps a 50-48 lead. The Royals responded with a late third-quarter surge to lead 59-58 going into the final period. In the fourth, Maw’s back-to-back threes brought the Majors within two points, but Bethel’s free-throw shooting in the closing minutes sealed the victory.
Bethel’s free throws and disciplined play ultimately secured their win, ending Millsaps’ postseason run. The team finished the season with a 21-8 record and made a notable NCAA appearance in Wilbur’s first year as coach.
For updates on Millsaps women’s basketball, follow the team on social media or visit gomajors.com. Millsaps College, founded in 1890 in Jackson, Mississippi, is a nationally recognized liberal arts institution committed to academic excellence and social progress.
