CLINTON, MS - The Mississippi College men's basketball team could not hold on to a late lead as they fell to Louisiana College, 88-85, on Tuesday night in A.E. Wood Coliseum.

For the Choctaws (1-4, 1-4 ASC), it was the first-ever loss to the Wildcats (4-1, 4-1 ASC) in the "Golden Dome".

The game went back and forth the whole night, as there were 12 ties and nine lead changes.  In the first half, MC jumped out to an 32-24 lead with 5:32 remaining, but LC bounced back to knot the game at 41-41 at halftime.

In the second half, the Wildcats took a quick 51-45 advantage on a three-point basket by Phillip George.  The Choctaws would answer back, eventually taking their biggest lead, 78-70, with 4:38 remaining.

On the next possession, MC forced a missed three-pointer, but a turnover and back-to-back three-pointers along with a free throw pulled LC to within just one point.

The Choctaws answered the bell again with the next five points to take an 83-77 lead with 1:18 to go.  The Wildcats got up off the mat on three-pointers by Korey Salmon and Jarrod Jackson to take an 84-83 lead.

Things got wild after the teams traded free throws and MC held the ball down one on the sideline.  The inbounds pass was stolen by Salmon and a flagrant foul was called on senior Trevon Malone as he chased the play.

What followed was three players coming off the LC bench and being ejected along with Malone for the final :12 seconds of the game.

The Wildcats made two free throws to take a three-point lead and held the ball in the final seconds.  Sophomore Brandon Blake intercepted the in-bounds pass and gave the Choctaws one last shot.

Senior Marlon Ester drew the defense and found Blake for an open look at a three, but it was off the mark as LC clinched the victory.

The Choctaws had seven players score in double-figures led by senior Chad Jones with 14 points.  Senior Greg Pulliam scored 12 and pulled down 11 rebounds.

Jarrod Jackson scored a game-high 26 points, while Salmon and Jelani Mitchell added 20.

MC shot 64% (16-25) from the floor in the second half and outrebounded the Wildcats, 36-29.

The Choctaws will get back on the road to face Mary Hardin-Baylor on Thursday, December 15th at 7:30 p.m.