CLINTON, Miss. --- The Mississippi College men's basketball team opened 2016 with a 70-64 loss to GSC-leading Alabama Huntsville on Saturday afternoon in A.E. Wood Coliseum.

The Choctaws (4-5, 3-4 GSC) trailed by as many as nine in the final five minutes as the Chargers (9-3, 6-1 GSC) grabbed a 62-53 advantage on a three-pointer by Justin Ward.

Senior Tristan Moore, who led MC with 18 points, capped off a 7-0 run over a 2-minute span to cut the lead to 62-60 with just 3:48 remaining.

The Choctaws had a couple of chances to take the lead with two open three-point opportunities on their next possession, but UAH rebounded the second miss and pushed the lead out to 65-60 with under two minutes remaining.

The Chargers were clutch down the stretch as Greg Gardner and Brandon Roberts combined to go 3-of-4 from the free throw line in the final seconds to clinch the victory.

Senior Tory Rice joined Moore in double-figures, scoring 16 points with eight rebounds. Senior Johnny Rucker also had eight rebounds, while senior Jonathan McGee scored in double-figures with 11 points, making three three-pointers.

The Choctaws shot 42% (22-of-53) from the field and went 7-of-24 (29%) from the three-point line. The defense stepped up in the second half, holding the Chargers to 37% shooting in the second half after posting a 52% mark in the opening frame.

UAH's balanced attack was led by Seab Webster with 14 points, while Roberts had 13 and Gardner and Justin Ward each had 11.

The Choctaws will be back in action on Monday night when they host North Alabama at 7:30 p.m. in A.E. Wood Coliseum.