CLINTON, Miss. -- The Choctaws fell by a final score of 61-56 to Shorter on Saturday evening in Gulf South Conference play.

Both teams battled back and forth in the first half of play with an even score of 27-27 at the break. In the second half of the contest, the Choctaws and Hawks were knotted at 48-48 with 7:15 left in regulation until Shorter would go on a 11-5 run over the next five minutes to take a 59-53 lead with 2:04 left.

A Miles Miller three-pointer with under two minutes left brought MC back within a three point deficit at 59-56. However, Shorter would go on to hold the Choctaws in the final seconds of play, winning by a final of 61-56.

MC was led by Miller who had 18 points on 6-of-15 shooting, along six rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block.

Judah Jordan finished with 13 points and nine rebounds in 37 minutes of action. Taylon Smith had a stellar night with nine points on 2-of-5 shooting  with a team best two steals.

As a team, MC finished 18-of-52 from the field with 20 points in the paint. The Choctaws also shot 6-of-19 from three-point range on the night.

MC falls to 4-11 on the season and 2-7 in GSC play. The Choctaws return to action Monday night versus West Georgia with tip-off set for 6 p.m. at A.E. Wood Coliseum.