CLINTON, Miss. --- The Mississippi College women's basketball team as it topped the University of Montevallo, 58-48, in MC's Gulf South Conference home opener on Saturday, Dec. 14.
 
The victory is the second straight in the series for the Blue and Gold and the first on its home floor since Feb. 17, 2022.
 
Four Choctaws scored in double figures led by Alexis Rowe and Tiara Abron with 11 points apiece. Nia Coleman and Tytiana Buckley added 10 points each to round out the scoring quartet. Buckley and Rowe tied for tops on the squad with seven rebounds.
 
MC shot 38.9 percent from the floor, 11-for-14 from the free-throw line and grabbed 35 rebounds, including 22 on the defensive end.
 
A back and forth affair in the opening, the Choctaws picked up the pace and raced out a double-digit lead with 2:32 remaining before the intermission. The Blue and Gold used a 13-2 run to gain the advantage. The margin widened to as many as 14 points during the quarter. UM gained the final five points of the period to cut the deficit to single digits.
 
MC pushed back out to double figures early in the third and maintained the lead throughout the quarter and never relinquished the 10-plus point advantage. The Choctaw grabbed its largest lead of the game, 58-40, on a 3-pointer from Ava Craddock, following a defensive rebound by the Jackson, Tenn., native. The Purple and Gold closed out the contest on an 8-0 run, but the rally fell short.  
 
Aubrey Sorrells paced the Falcons with 17 points and five boards. UM shot 37.0 percent from the field, connected on six of 10 from the charity stripe and totaled 36 rebounds.
 
Mississippi College returns to action on Monday, Dec. 16 as it hosts Auburn University at Montgomery. Tip-off at 2 p.m.