CLINTON, Miss. --- The Mississippi College men's basketball team played their first Gulf South Conference game in 19 years on Thursday night, falling to the University of West Alabama, 78-69, at A.E. Wood Coliseum.

The Choctaws (2-1, 0-1 GSC) suffered their first loss of the season, but it did not come without a fight. After trailing 39-28 at halftime, MC would go on a 15-4 run to open the second period and tied the game 43-43 with 14:05 to go. With 7:50 remaining, freshman Stacey Mack made 1-of-2 free throws to give MC a 53-50 advantage.

The teams would battle back-and-forth and senior Rayner Fredrick cut the UWA lead to 59-58 with 5:03 remaining. The Tigers would go on a 7-0 run over the next two minutes and would hold on for the conference win.

Four Choctaws scored in double-figures led by junior Tory Rice with 17 points. Junior Johnny Rucker had 14 points, while Fredrick (12 pts) and junior Tristan Moore (11 pts) were also in double-figures. In the second half, MC would go 20-of-26 from the free throw line to stay in the game.

The Tigers shot 17-of-25 (68%) from the field in the first half to grab the 11-point halftime advantage. They would go 19-of-27 from the free throw line in the second half to seal the victory.

Charles Eaton came off the bench to score 28 points, going 9-of-16 from the field and 9-of-12 from the free throw line. Kenric McCants and Justin Wright each had 14 points for the Tigers.

The Choctaws will be back in action on Saturday when they host West Georgia at 4:00 p.m. in A.E. Wood Coliseum.