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The Mississippi College men’s basketball team snapped a three-game losing streak with an 84-82 win over West Florida on Thursday night at the UWF Field House.
The Choctaws (3-4, 2-3 GSC) snapped out of an offensive funk, shooting 53% (26-of-49) from the field in the victory. Over the last two games, two home losses, MC was only able to shoot 30% from the floor.
When senior Jonathan McGee scored his first two points of the game with 17:49 remaining in the first half, it gave the Choctaws a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the night.
The Raymond native scored a season-high 19 points with five rebounds, going 10-of-12 from the free throw line, including a couple big makes in the final minutes.
The Choctaws pushed their lead out to as many as 14 points in the first half and had a 67-54 advantage with 7:46 to go in the game on a layup by senior Tory Rice, who scored 17 points with nine rebounds.
The Argonauts (2-6, 1-4 GSC) continued to chip away at the lead, cutting the deficit to three points in the final minute, but MC was able to hold on for the win, despite a last-second three-point shot by Mario Stramaglia.
As a team, the Choctaws were clutch at the free throw line, going 25-of-33 (76%) from the charity stripe. MC also shot 39% (7-of-18) from the three-point line as a unit.
Senior Tristan Moore led all scorers with 20 points with seven assists, going 8-of-9 from the free throw line. SeniorJohnny Rucker was also in double-figures with 16 points, making a career-high three three-pointers in the game.
UWF had six players score in double-figures, led by Rashaan Benson with 16 points. Stramaglia and Austin Somerfield had 14 points for the Argos.
The Choctaws will continue their road trip and play their last game of 2015 on Saturday when they travel to Georgia to face Valdosta State at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern).
GAME NOTES
– Thursday night’s game marked the 300th career game for head coach Don Lofton (192-108, .640).
– The Choctaws have now won four straight games against West Florida, including all three since coming back to the Gulf South Conference last season.
– The Choctaws improved to 3-0 on the season when holding a lead with 10 minutes and 5 minutes remaining.
– The Choctaws have now made a three-pointer in 465 straight games, dating back to March 5, 1998.
