CARROLLTON, Ga. --- Junior Tory Rice scored a season-high 28 points, but the Mississippi College men's basketball team dropped a hard-fought battle to the University of West Georgia, 86-85, on Thursday night in The Coliseum.

The Choctaws (7-7, 5-7 GSC) grabbed an 85-81 advantage when senior Jay Case knocked down two free throws, but the Wolves cut the lead to 85-84 when Deonta Stocks made his only three-pointer of the night with 53 seconds remaining. After an empty trip for MC, Stocks was fouled at the basket and made two free throws to give the Wolves the one-point lead.

The Choctaws had the ball with :13.6 seconds remaining, but a missed shot and a turnover set West Georgia up for their second win of the season over MC after taking down the Choctaws in Clinton, 92-81.

Junior Tristan Moore had a big night for the Choctaws, posting 14 assists, which is the first time an MC player has had double-figure helpers since Daniel Kennedy in the 2001-02 season. He also tied a season-high with eight rebounds, tying Rice for the team-high in the contest. Rice was 10-of-15 from the field and 8-of-12 from the free throw line.

Junior Johnny Rucker tallied 16 points for the Choctaws, going 6-of-9 from the field and 2-of-2 from the three-point line. Case was also in double-figures with 14 points, going 4-of-5 from long range. MC shot 54% (31-of-57) from the field and went 7-of-13 from the three-pointt line as a team.

The Wolves took a 46-44 lead into halftime, but the Choctaws would grab their largest lead of the night with 9:05 remaining when Tory Rice scored to make the score 72-68. MC would not give up the lead until Stocks made the two free throws in the final seconds.

Marcus Dortch led UWG with 25 points, going 8-of-12 from the field and 5-of-9 from the three-point line. Stocks scored 16 points, going 11-of-12 from the free throw line in the game.

The Choctaws will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to Livingston, Ala. to face West Alabama at 4:00 p.m.