Millsaps dropped its first game of the D3hoops.com Classic earlier today to Bethel (Minn.).
 
The Royals of Bethel led throughout most of the game en route to a 69-52 win.  Kasi Matthews led the Majors in scoring with 12 points and eight rebounds while Kala-Jewel Freeman finished close behind with six points and eight rebounds as well.  The Royals trailed only once early in the third quarter while holding off several comeback rallies from the Majors to earn their fifth win of the season.
 
Senior Miah Brooks made the opening basket of the game on a quick layup after a Royals turnover.  From there, Bethel took the lead on an 11-2 run midway through the first quarter.  Holding a 34-24 halftime lead, the Royals never looked back by holding off several come-from-behind rallies from Millsaps.
 
The Majors began the second half with a great deal of positive momentum by going on a 10-2 run.  The Royals, however, answered with a run of their own.  A 15-4 run gave Bethel a 53-38 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
 
After making the contest an eight-point game early in the fourth quarter, the Royals held off the final rally from Millsaps to earn the 69-52 win.  The Royals shot 43.6 percent from the field (24-55) while the Majors shot 29.2 percent (19-65).  Millsaps shot 3-10 on three pointers while the Royals went 7-19.
 
Both teams were nearly equal in rebounds as the Majors finished with 40 while the Royals finished with 43.  For points in the paint, both teams were equal with 22 points each while the Majors bench outscored the Royals 20-12. 
 
The Majors will return to South Point Arena at Las Vegas tomorrow for their final game of the week in the D3hoops.com Classic.  Today's loss drops Millsaps to 5-4 on the season, as they will look to rebound tomorrow, Dec. 28th against DeSales.  Tipoff against the Bulldogs from Las Vegas will be at 12 p.m. (PST) as coverage of the game can be found at D3hoops.com (streaming available here).