CLINTON, Miss. --- Mississippi College women's basketball crowned a new 3-point leader as the Choctaws topped Shorter University, 70-52, on Sunday, Dec. 31 in Gulf South Conference action. MC improved to 4-8 overall and 3-6 in the league while the Hawks fell to 1-11 on the season and continue searching for their first conference victory.
 
Kyiah Julian knocked down her 109th 3-pointer during her time in Clinton to reset the program record. The Greenwood, Ark., native surpassed former Choctaw Anna Patterson (2007-10), who held the mark for 13 years. Julian was one of three Choctaws in double figures in the victory as she totaled 12 points.
 
"I am happy with the win tonight," said head coach Greg Long. "I am so proud of Kyiah. When you have a player like her who gives everything she has every second of the day, it's awesome to see her get rewarded with this accomplishment. She embodies everything we want in this program on and off the court.
 
Karly Ivy paced the squad with a career-high 22 points to pace the Blue and Gold. Her previous high was 19 points against Auburn Montgomery on Dec. 10, 2023. It marked her first contest with 20-plus points during her career.
 
"Karly got rolling early and shot lights out from the floor," Long said of the Lone Star State sophomore. "She played so hard on both ends of the floor tonight."
 
Amelia Bell rounded out the leading scorers for the Blue and Gold added 11 points and paced the squad with nine rebounds.
 
It is the second time this season MC has three players in double digit scoring this season.
 
"Even though I am pleased with the win, I am not happy with the turnovers. We need to clean that up" said Long. "We had more assists than we've had in a long time tonight."
 
The Blue and Gold shot 48.3 percent from the floor, including a 31.8 clip from the 3-point line, and 7-for-9 from the free-throw line. They also gathered 38 rebounds. The Choctaws committed 18 turnovers, but dished out 14 assists.
 
MC held an 18-13 advantage after the opening 10 minutes and maintained a nine-point lead at the intermission, 37-28. The Choctaws expanded their margin in the second half as they held the Blue and White to nine points and outscored them by six in the stanza. The Blue and Gold held its largest lead of the game during the third period as Bell completed the back end of an old-fashioned, 3-point play at the 5:34 mark. The free throw also capped the best scoring run for the team as they opened the half on a 12-0 run.
 
Courtney Lumpkins paced the Blue and White with 10 points while Ariyah Brooks gathered seven rebounds. SU shot 35.2 percent from the field, including for 4-of-12 from the behind the arc, 83.3 percent from the charity stripe and totaled 30 boards.
 
Mississippi College returns to action on Tuesday, Jan. 2 as it hosts Lee University in GSC action. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.
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