HAMMOND, La. --- The Mississippi College men's basketball team closed out their exhibition schedule with a tight 76-69 loss to Division I Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday night in the University Center.

The Choctaws trailed 33-25 at halftime, but the Lions were able to extend the lead out to 42-29, their largest advantage of the game, with 17:06 to go in the game.

MC continued to chip away at the lead, going on a 14-3 run that cut the score to one possession with 13:38 remaining as senior Jonathan McGee nailed one of his three three-pointers on the night. The Choctaws went 9-of-21 (43%) from long range in the contest.

The Lions were able to open the lead back out to 11 points in the final 10 minutes, but McGee nailed two free throws with 2:54 to go to cut the lead to 66-62. The senior transfer from Harding University scored 14 points with two rebounds and two assists.

Southeastern Louisiana was able to go on a 10-2 run in the final minutes to pull away for their first victory of the season.

Senior Tory Rice led all scorers with 16 points, contributing all his offense in the second half. He also led the team with eight rebounds.

Sophomore Stacey Mack scored 11 points with seven rebounds. Seniot Tristan Moore scored eight points with a team-high four assists.

Keith Charleston tallied a double-double for the Lions with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Mike Hawkins scored a team-high 13 points, while Zay Jackson had 12 points with a team-high eight assists.

The Choctaws will be back in action in Clinton on Saturday when they host North American University at 4:00 p.m. in A.E. Wood Coliseum.