MEMPHIS, Tenn. --- The Mississippi College men's basketball team opened their Tennessee road trip with a 71-57 loss to Christian Brothers on Thursday night in Canale Arena.

The Choctaws (6-10, 5-9 GSC) opened up an early 8-4 lead on a jumper by sophomore Stacey Mack, but the Bucs (10-10, 8-6 GSC) grabbed a lead minutes later they would not relinquish.

When freshman David Fisher hit a three-pointer with 5:26 remaining in the opening 20 minutes, MC trailed just 23-22. CBU closed the half on a 12-3 run to take a 35-25 lead into the halftime break.

The Bucs would then push the lead out to as many as 21 in the second half before the Choctaws closed out with a flourish, including freshman Hunter Ray scoring his first two career points.

Senior Tory Rice led the Choctaws with 13 points and 11 rebounds, his ninth double-double of the season. Seniors Johnny Rucker (12 pts) and Jonathan McGee (10 pts) finished in double-figures, while Fisher finished with a career-high five points.

Freshman Adam Dieball led the Bucs with 20 points, while Drew Hildreth scored 17 and Alex Trentman had 13. Hildreth tallied a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

The Bucs shot 29-of-56 (52%) from the floor and scored 17 points off 11 MC turnovers. The Choctaws would shoot 24-of-57 (42%) from the field and score 11 fast-break points.

The Choctaws will be back in action on Saturday afternoon when they travel to Jackson, Tenn. to face Union University at 4:00 p.m.