RUSTON, La. --- Mississippi College fell to Louisiana Tech Monday night, 78-61, in the Choctaws final exhibition contest before regular season play.

The Choctaws started off the first half leading 10-7 over the Bulldogs before La Tech would jump out to a lead, eventually taking a 43-26 advantage into the break.
 
Tradavis Thompson had the Choctaws first six points on the night and led MC with 10 points at the break. Galen Smith was a force in the paint in the first half, adding eight points. 

Darrius Clark and Justin Reid each had three rebounds to lead MC at the half. 

Mississippi College fought hard in the second half, scoring 35 total points to match the Bulldogs 35-35 in the final twenty minutes of action.

Thompson led MC with 28 points on the night on 10-of-18 shooting from the field. He also led the Choctaws with five total rebounds in the game as well as led MC with three steals.

Smith finished with 12 points on the night, with three rebounds while Darrius Clark ended with four total rebounds.

MC as a team was 23-of-54 from the field, shooting 42.6 percent. MC led for a total of 3:50 in the game and had 22 points in the paint and 24 points off of the bench. 

The Choctaws wrap up exhibition play and will turn toward the regular season with opening action on Friday, November 11 versus Albany State. The two teams are set to tip-off at 7 p.m. in Livingston, Ala.