Senate Resolution 35

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE MILLSAPS "MAJORS" WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH JUSTIN LEBLANC FOR WINNING ITS FIRST-EVER CONFERENCE SAA TOURNAMENT TITLE AND ITS THIRD-EVER NCAA TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE.

WHEREAS, the Hangar Dome was boisterous and electric, helping power the Millsaps "Majors" Women's Basketball Team past Centre College, 68-63 in the 2024 Southern Athletic Association (SAA) Women's Basketball Championship on February 25, 2024. The result was the first conference postseason title for the "Majors" and advanced the team into its third-ever NCAA Tournament; and

WHEREAS, No. 1 seed Millsaps (24-4, 12-2 SAA) was led by SAA Women's Basketball Player of the Year and MVP Haley Franklin's 35 points, which matched a career high. Franklin added nine rebounds and two assists on 10-of-20 shooting from the floor and 15-of-21 from the free-throw line. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, athlete also became the 12th player in program history to surpass 1,000 career points; and

WHEREAS, Sophomore Elyse Warren, along with Haley Franklin, was selected to the SAA All-Tournament Team. Warren netted eight points, 11 rebounds and one steal; and

WHEREAS, making its fifth appearance in the SAA Title Game, the "Majors" advanced to the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament for the third time in school history (1994-1995, 1995-1996); and

WHEREAS, the title contest was a thrilling matchup with eight ties and 11 lead changes. The largest lead of the first quarter was three points as Centre held a 13-11 advantage through 10 minutes of play. Franklin would race coast-to-coast in under five seconds to beat the halftime buzzer with what proved to be a crucial driving layup. The "Colonels" held a narrow 29-27 margin at halftime. The visitors earned a six-point lead with a trey four minutes into the second half, but the "Majors" stormed back. Millsaps utilized back-to-back Helena Roe and Tia Anderson 3-pointers to help finish the third quarter on a 19-8 run and hold a 50-45 advantage. The "Majors" appeared to run away with the game after Franklin hit a jump shot and free throw as Millsaps moved ahead, 55-46 with 7:50 to play. However, Centre pulled within two points with 1:39 on the clock as the pressure mounted. Franklin then sank 6-of-8 free throws down the stretch to keep the "Colonels" down for good. Centre hit a three-pointer, but it was too little, too late as the "Majors" advanced with an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament following a 68-63 thrilling decision; and

WHEREAS, the 2024 Millsaps "Majors" Women's Basketball Tournament Championship Team roster is: Bailey Johnson, Garin Freeman, Haley Franklin, Maddy Maw, Emily Adams, Kayla Ngo, Nya Miller, Helena Roe, Maddie Howell, Mya Richardson, Elyse Warren, Kourtney Irons, Whitney Novak, Tia Anderson, Taylor Frank and Rachel Pflum; and Head Coach Justin LeBlanc and Assistant Coach Eric Vaughn; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this group of university athletes who have brought honor to their college, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Millsaps "Majors" Women's Basketball Team and Head Coach Justin LeBlanc for winning its first-ever Conference SAA Tournament Title and its third-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, and extend to the players, coaches, students, faculty and parents our best wishes for future postseason success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Head Coach Justin LeBlanc for the team, forwarded to Millsaps President Frank Neville and the Board of Trustees, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.