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The Mississippi College men’s basketball team allowed a season-low in points to snap a three-game losing streak and pick up a 65-57 victory over Lee University on Monday night in Paul Dana Walker Arena.
The Choctaws (5-7, 4-6 GSC) forced 17 points, scoring a season-high 27 points off giveaways in the victory over the Flames (3-12, 1-9 GSC).
The biggest play of the game came with under 20 seconds remaining when junior DeOndre Haynes stole the ball from Keevin Tyus under the Lee basket, and senior Johnny Rucker stepped to the line to hit two free throws and ice the game.
In the first half, it was the Flames who would jump out to a big lead as Tyus’ layup with 7:28 remaining gave Lee a 22-13 lead, their biggest of the game.
The Choctaws would step up the defense the rest of the half, outscoring the Flames 15-2 to take a 28-24 lead into the break. They would hold Lee scoreless over a 7-minute stretch to end the half.
In the second half, the lead would go back and forth over the first 10 minutes, but sophomore Stacey Mack nailed two free throws to give MC their largest lead of the game at 58-49 with 4:15 remaining.
The Flames would chip away at the lead and had the ball down 60-57 with 1:20 remaining, but MC forced another turnover and would not give up another point the rest of the night.
Senior Tristan Moore led the Choctaws with 19 points, going 5-of-11 from the field and 9-of-12 from the free throw line. As a team, the Choctaws were 19-of-26 (73%) from the charity stripe.
Senior Tory Rice scored 11 points and tied a career-high with 16 rebounds, including seven offensive boards. Mack was also in double-figures with 10 points.
Tyus and Chase Cullen led the Flames with 14 points, while Rico Overall had 11.
The Choctaws will be back in action on Saturday (Jan. 16) when they travel to Cleveland to face rival Delta State at 4:00 p.m. in Walter Sillers Coliseum.
