CLINTON, Miss. --- The Mississippi College men's basketball team shot just 28% (16-of-57) from the field in a 61-54 loss to #24 Union University on Thursday night in A.E. Wood Coliseum.

The Choctaws (2-3, 1-2 GSC) got off to a fast start as they took an 11-0 lead in the opening minutes, helped by a couple of three-pointers by junior Otis Harvey, who is 9-for-10 from long range over the last two games.

The Bulldogs (9-0, 3-0 GSC) were forced to call a timeout to stop the rally. Coming out of the stoppage, Harvey came up injured and was not able to play the rest of the way.

Union continued to close the gap as the first half went on, but senior Tristan Moore nailed two free throws in the final seconds to give MC a 29-26 lead going into the half.

In the second half, the Choctaws really struggled to get going, offensively, shooting 21% (6-of-29) from the field. Once Union took the lead in the opening minutes, they would not let MC get any closer than five points in the final 15 minutes.

Senior Johnny Rucker led MC with 11 points, going 7-of-9 from the free throw line. Moore and senior Jonathan McGee were also in double-figures with 10 points. Senior Tory Rice was held out of double-figure scoring for the first time this season, posting eight points and 11 rebounds.

Marterrace Brock led Union with 18 points, while Ashanti Day had 13 and KC Goodwin had 11. Jordan Montgomery scored nine points with a team-high 11 rebounds.

The 54 points scored by the Choctaws is the fewest in a single game since December 14, 2013 when MC lost to Rhodes, 54-53.

The Choctaws will be back in action at home when they host Christian Brothers at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.