Atlanta, GA – In the semifinals of the 2026 SAA Women's Basketball Championship, Centre came up short and was eliminated by Millsaps.
The opening period featured both teams trading possessions and battling for the glass early. after numerous missed shots and second-chance opportunities, Centre broke through first with
Lilly Reid knocking down a three to kick start the colonels' offensive.
Millsaps responded behind Elysa Warren, who converted in the paint and the free throw line to keep it close.
Claire Russell contributed key rebounds and mid-range scoring for Centre, while
Tessa Miles kept multiple possessions alive with strong offensive rebounding.
As the quarter progressed, both teams continued to exchange baskets, including a Bailey Johnson three that trimmed the margin. Late in the quarter, Centre capitalized on second-chance points and timely shooting to build a small cushion, but Millsaps pushed right back with interior finishes. Still, Centre was able to close the quarter ahead by four.
Millsaps opened the second quarter attacking the glass, with Elyse Warren grabbing multiple offensive rebounds to extend possessions, but several early missed threes kept Centre in front.
Both teams faced a slow start offensively. Garin Freeman found a rhythm for the Majors, knocking down jumpers and later finishing a layup to help swing momentum. Bailey Johnson added to the energy boost with a key three-pointer off an assist from Freeman to keep Millsaps close.
Centre answered with a layup from
Isabelle Combs and continued to battle inside behind Russell and Miles, but turnovers and strong rebounding from Warren limited the Colonels second-chance opportunities.
Out of a timeout, the Majors briefly surged behind a Warren layup and a Mya Richardson three-pointer to pull within striking distance. Centre responded late with a Campbell layup off an assist by Ka 'Niah Edelen and a strong finish from
Lilly Reid in transition.
Defensive rebounds from Russell and Edelen helped the Colonels steady the pace in the final minute, allowing them to carry their momentum into the closing stretch of the half.
Centre came out of halftime aggressively, Edelen forcing an early turnover and picking up a steal to set the tone defensively. After trading empty possessions and missed free throws,
Trinity Armour got Centre on the board with a strong finish inside.
Millsaps answered at the line behind Freeman, who converted a free throw to keep the lead intact.
Lindsay Jessie provided a spark from Centre with a layup off an
Arin Nipp assist, and Campbell knocked down a big three-pointer midway through to trim the deficit.
However, Millsaps responded from the perimeter as Johnson connected from deep, thanks to an assist from Freeman, while Freeman and Maddy Maw continued to add points at the stripe.
Late buckets from Freeman and Elyse helped Millsaps maintain control, and although Centre continued to battle inside with scores from Jessie, Millsaps held the advantage heading into the fourth.
Millsaps opened the fourth quarter protecting a late lead and leaned on free throws to manage the clock, with Elyse Warren and Tia Anderson converting at the line to extend the margin.
Centre tried to answer from the perimeter, but early missed threes and key rebounds from Warren continued to limit second-chance opportunities. Bailey Johnson delivered a three-pointer off a Freeman assist to keep Millsaps in control, en route to the win over the Colonels, 67-58. The Colonels will now look to the NCAA selection show next week to see if they earn an at-large bid to continue their season in the NCAA Tournament.
