CLINTON, Miss. --- The Mississippi College women's basketball team upended in Gulf South Conference opener as the University of West Alabama edged the Choctaws (4-3, 0-1 GSC), 47-42. UWA improved to 6-1 and 0-1 in conference action.
 
Kyiah Julian led the Navy and Gold with 11 points – her second time leading the team in scoring this season. Alana Canady paced the squad on the glass with seven rebounds. It's the second time this season she led the team in the category this season. MC shot 27.1 percent from the floor and managed a 63.6 clip from the charity stripe.
 
West Alabama was led by Jala Williams with 17 points while Tazsa Garrett-Hammett added 14 points. Bria Dent led the Red and White on the boards with nine. The Tigers shot 33.3 percent from the field while struggling from the free-throw line at 37.5 percent.
 
MC out-rebounded the Tigers in the contest as it held a 37-34 advantage on the glass. It's the fifth consecutive game that the Choctaws have held the advantage on the boards this season.

"I was proud of the energy and effort of this team. We are learning and growing each game," said head coach Greg Long. "We are not finishing games right now, but as we mature together, we will. We have to learn from this game, but have a short memory and get ready for our next conference opponent."
 
The Choctaws held West Alabama scoreless all but 10 seconds of the opening quarter as it held a 9-1 lead heading into the second period. The Red and White outscored MC 12-10 in the second, but found itself trailing 19-13 at the break as the Choctaws continued its streak of leading at the half. The Navy and Gold haven't trailed at the intermission in the seven games this season. It's the lowest point-total in a quarter this season for an opponent.
 
MC maintained its six-point advantage through three quarters as the two teams both scored 11 points in the quarter. West Alabama gained its first lead of the game at the 5:49 mark of the final quarter as Zoe Watts scored on a layup from Jada Golden. The Tigers expanded their margin to 38-34 with 3:27 left in the game, before the Choctaws pulled within a point with 1:34 remaining on a Canady put-back in the paint. UWA responded as it drained back-to-back trips to the free-throw line to swell its lead to 45-40.
 
Mississippi College returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 4 as it hosts the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.