November 24, 2007

JACKSON – Millsaps scored 26 points off 22 Rust College turnovers and four Majors scored in double figures, led by Edrick Montgomery's 20 points and 12 boards, to roll past the Bearcats in the Turkey Shootout closer on Saturday 79-58.

Millsaps (3-0) surrendered the lead just once in the early going at 12-11 on a bucket from Micheal Taylor before scoring 31 of the final 45 points in the half to take a 14-point lead into intermission at 42-28.

Montgomery scored 12 of his season and game-high 20 points in the first on 5-of-8 shooting and grabbed seven boards while senior counterparts Lorenzo Bailey and Rodney Rogan each added eight points.

The Majors shot a season-high 56 percent (14-of-25) from the floor in the second half and led by as many as 27 points midway through the period to hold off any kind of a Rust rally, capitalizing off 11 Bearcat turnovers and nine steals.

The 21-point win was the largest margin of victory for Millsaps in the early going, taking advantage of a huge afternoon from Montgomery who poured in his first double-double of the year to go along with five steals, three blocks and two assists.

In addition to 24 bench points, Rogan (12), Chad Songy (11) and Bailey (10) were the other three Majors in double figures whereas Rogan chipped in a game-high five dimes followed by Songy and senior Allen Odum with four.

Eric Jackson paced the Bearcats (1-3) offense with 11 points on 4-of-9 aim while Taylor added 10 points and a team-high six rebounds.

Millsaps will put its unbeaten streak on the line Sunday, traveling to Division I foe Southeastern Louisiana for a 3 p.m. tip in the 7,500-seat University Center.

The Lions knocked off the Majors 90-67 last year in Hammond.