LAFAYETTE, La. --- Senior Tory Rice scored a game-high 23 points, but the Mississippi College men's basketball team dropped a season-opening exhibition game to the University of Louisiana on Monday night, 104-72.

The Choctaws shot 43% (6-of-14) from the three-point line and went 24-of-32 (75%) from the foul line, but 26 turnovers leading to 30 Ragin' Cajun points kept the Choctaws from the upset win over the Division I squad.

Rice went 6-of-10 from the field and 11-of-15 from the free throw line, also leading the Choctaws with six rebounds. Senior Johnny Rucker and sophomore Stacey Mack were also in double-figures with 10 points apiece.

Senior Tristan Moore added eight points, while freshman David Fisher had seven points for MC.

The Ragin' Cajuns shot 51% (36-of-71) from the floor and got 61 points off their bench in the victory. Jay Hedgeman led UL scorers with 19 points, while Tyrone Wooten had 16 points and a team-high six rebounds.

The Choctaws will open the regular season on Friday (Nov. 13) when they will host cross-town rival Belhaven at 8:00 p.m. in A.E. Wood Coliseum.