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Junior Stacey Mack scored 15 points with 16 rebounds as the Mississippi College men’s basketball team opened the 2016-17 season with a 73-71 victory over Auburn Montgomery on Tuesday night in A.E. Wood Coliseum.
KEY STATS
– The Choctaws had four players score in double-figures, led by Mack’s 15 points. Senior DeOndre Haynes (13), junior Otis Harvey(12) and freshman Brandon Boston (10) also turned the trick.
– The double-double was Mack’s 6th of his career, and the Choctaws are now 5-1 when he completes the feat.
– The Choctaws shot 48% (12-of-25) from the field in the second half, also going 6-of-12 from the three-point line after shooting just 33% from the field and going 2-of-12 from long range in the first 20 minutes.
– MC had 17 assists on 21 field goals, led by Haynes with five helpers and Johnson with four. Haynes also led the team with three steals.
– The Choctaws were 23-of-30 (77%) from the foul line with Mack nailing a free throw in the final seconds to clinch the victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
– The Choctaws jumped out to a quick 16-6 lead after Boston knocked down a jumper with 11:54 to go in the first half.
– After MC went ahead 25-17 with 7:49 remaining, the Warhawks (0-3) went on a 21-0 run over the next six minutes to grab a 38-25 advantage.
– The Choctaws would go nearly 13 minutes without a field goal before Johnson made one of his three three-pointers with 14:17 remaining in the second half.
– MC went on an 18-2 run of their own in the second half to grab a lead they would not relinquish.
– The Warhawks would get as close as 58-56 with 6:03 remaining, but the Choctaws would hold on for the season-opening victory.
GAME NOTES
– The Choctaws are now 19-2 in their last 21 season-openers.
– Head coach Don Lofton won his 198th career game in his 13th season at the helm.
– MC is now 2-0 all-time against Auburn Montgomery following an 82-71 win on November 26, 1994.
NEXT UP
– The Choctaws will host Spring Hill College on Saturday (Nov. 26) at 4:00 p.m. in A.E. Wood Coliseum.
