CLINTON, Miss. --- For the first time in program history the Mississippi College women's basketball team knocked off the top team in the Gulf South Conference, Union University, in overtime, 69-66. The Lady Choctaws improved to 8-8 and 5-5 in the conference while Union falls to 14-4 and 8-2 in the league.
 
Shanell Kitchens scored a career-high 22 points and swiped a career-high and conference-best nine steals in the victory while Zariah Matthews chimed in 16 points. Mikeba Jones and Coco Hobson pulled down nine rebounds each to pace the squad.
 
MC shot 33.8 percent from the field, including 38.9 from behind the arc, and connected on 66.7 percent from the charity stripe.
 
Union was led by Jada Smith with 20 points. Jaelencia Williams added 18 points and 11 rebounds. Jacie Higgins had a roster-best 13 boards. UU shot 45.2 percent from floor, but managed just 5-for-20 from the 3-point line. The Lady Bulldogs hit just 55.6 percent from the free throw line.
 
Game Score: Mississippi College 69 | Union 66 (OT)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020
Location: Clinton, Miss. | A.E. Wood Coliseum
Records: Lady Choctaws 8-8, 5-5 GSC | Lady Bulldogs 14-4, 8-2 GSC
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
>> After outscoring the Lady Bulldogs 20-13 in the second quarter, the Navy and Gold trailed by one, 28-27, at the intermission. The 20 points in the quarter was the second most this season in the quarter for the Lady Choctaws.
>> The Lady Bulldogs held onto their slim lead after the third with both team scoring 17 points in the quarter.
>> Union held as much as a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter, but the Lady Choctaws chipped away at the deficit and tied the contest at 57-all in regulation on a jumper by Jones.
>> MC used a 7-0 run to start the overtime period and grab a 64-57 just over two minutes into the extra session. UU pulled to within two points late in the period, but couldn't overcome the early run in the period.
 
INSIDE THE BOX
>> Kitchens nine steals are the best in the GSC this season.
>> MC doubled Union up in fast break points in the game, 16-8.
 
NEXT UP
Mississippi College hits the road on Thursday, Jan. 23 against No. 9 Lee University. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.