CLINTON, MS - The Mississippi College men's basketball team used a balanced effort as five Choctaws scored in double-figures on their way to a 75-59 win over Texas-Tyler on Sunday afternoon in A.E. Wood Coliseum.

The Choctaws only allowed the Patriots to shoot 25% (6-24) in the second half on their way to the victory.

In a game the Choctaws needed to win, they did just that with the 16-point victory over former Choctaw Kenny Bizot and the UT-Tyler Patriots.  MC now sits fourth in the ASC East and is clinging to the final playoff spot with four games to go.

The two teams stayed close in the first half as MC took a 31-30 lead into the intermission.  The Choctaws came out in the second half and forced 10 UT-Tyler turnovers on their way to outscoring the Patriots 44-29 in the period.

MC outscored the Patriots, 26-18, in the paint and scored 29 points off of 23 turnovers.

Senior Ken Black led the Choctaws with 23 points on 10-15 shooting.  Black also pulled down seven rebounds in the contest.  Sophomore Cameron Bounds tallied a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. 

Junior Greg Pulliam tallied 17 points on 4-9 shooting from the floor.  Pulliam did most of his damage at the free throw line, going 8-12.  Juniors Kendre' Smith and Chad Jones each added 10 points.  Senior Kelvin Lester led MC with four assists in the contest.

Michael Johnson came off the bench to lead the Patriots with 18 points on 6-14 shooting.  Jonathan Joyner was the only other UT-Tyler player in double-figures with 10.

The Choctaws lead the Patriots by 1/2 game in the East Division heading into the final four games of the season.  MC will play three of their final four games on the road.

MC will be back in action on Thursday when they travel to Richardson, TX to face Texas-Dallas at 7:30 p.m.