NEW ORLEANS --- The Mississippi College women's basketball team opened the 2017-18 season with a 74-57 win at Southern University at New Orleans on Tuesday evening. The victory was first for the Lady Choctaws over SUNO in program history.

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KEY STATS/NOTES
Ieisha Lacey led six Lady Choctaws in double figures with a career-high 15 points. The point total surpassed her previous high of 14 at Union last season.
 
Emery Wilson compiled a double-double in her MC debut with 11 points and a team-best 12 rebounds.
 
Olivia Mabry added 13 points followed by Lauran Sheriff with 12 points. Zariah Matthews chimed 11 points while Kaitlyn Thompson compiled 10 points.
 
Emery Wilson and Lauran Sheriff made their first Mississippi College career starts at SUNO.
 
MC shot 41.7 percent from floor while holding SUNO to shy of 30-percent from the field.

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TURNING POINT
Sheriff's jumper with 5:57 left to play before the half gave MC its first double-digit lead of the game.

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HOW IT HAPPENED
After tied at 21-all, Mississippi College used its pressure defensive to force 16 SUNO turnovers. MC grabbed its first double-digit lead of the contest at 31-21 on a jumper by Sheriff with 5:57 left to play before the half. The Lady Choctaws took a 42-33 lead in at the half.
 
MC regained a double-digit advantage with 8:53 left in the third quarter as Lacey hit a pair of free throws. The sophomore followed with a 3-pointer on the Navy and Gold's next trip down the floor to push the lead to 48-35.
 
The Lady Choctaws maintained the double-digit advantage the remainder of the way, including a 22-point lead on a jumper from Thompson with 6:48 left to play.

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NEXT UP
Mississippi College opens its home slate on Saturday, Nov. 18 as it faces LeMoyne-Owen College. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.