CLINTON, MS - The Mississippi College men's basketball team held off a late rally from LeTourneau University on their way to a 79-71 victory on Thursday night in A.E. Wood Coliseum.

The YellowJackets, who came in with only one win in 19 tries this season, shot 50% (17-34) in the second half and made 12-29 three-pointers as they fell by only eight points.

The Choctaws led by 18 points with 18:29 remaining in the game before LeTourneau started their rally.  The YellowJackets cut the lead down to as few as seven points in the final minute of play.

Senior Ken Black led the Choctaws with 15 points and nine rebounds.  Junior Marlon Ester made four three-pointers on his way to 12 points and four assists.  Junior Pierre Hadley and sophomore Cameron Bounds also tallied double-figures with 10 points each.

The Choctaws recorded 19 assists on 29 field goals, including 18 helpers on the first 20 baskets.  Senior Kelvin Lester led the way with six assists, while Ester and Hadley finished with four.

Luke Taylor, Jr. led LeTourneau with 22 points on 7-14 shooting from the floor, including making 5-9 three-pointers.  Taylor, Jr. scored 19 of his 22 points in the second half.  Jourdan Hughes tallied 12 points and five assists, while Jace Williamson scored 11 and recorded six helpers.

The Choctaws will be back in action on Saturday when they host Texas-Tyler at 3:00 p.m. in the "Golden Dome".