RICHARDSON, TX - The Mississippi College men's basketball team cut an 18-point lead down to just three in the final minutes, but the University of Texas at Dallas held on for a 72-67 win on Thursday night in the UTD Activity Center.

The Choctaws (6-14, 5-12 ASC) shot 54% (26-48) from the floor, but Kyle Schleigh of the Comets (18-4, 13-4 ASC) had 29 points and nine rebounds to lead the way.

In the first half, the game was back and forth as there were seven lead changes and four ties, but the Comets pulled away for a 37-29 advantage.

UTD extended the lead to 61-43 with 9:06 remaining in the game on a three-pointer by senior Chris Barnes.  Barnes became the all-time leading scorer in Comet history, putting up 11 points on 3-8 shooting.

The Choctaws would keep coming at the Comets, going on a 22-5 run to cut the score to just 68-65 with :58 seconds remaining.  Senior Marlon Ester capped off the run with a three-point play after a steal.

The Comets went 4-4 from the free throw line down the stretch to clinch the victory and the ASC East Division championship.

Texas-Dallas held a major advantage on the boards, outrebounding the Choctaws, 36-23 and scoring 14 second chance points.

Senior Trevon Malone led MC with 21 points on 8-15 shooting and had a team-high eight rebounds.  Ester scored 17 second half points, making 4-4 three-pointers.  Senior Chad Jones added 12 points for MC.

Carter Nash joined Schleigh and Barnes in double-figures with 13 points and eight rebounds.

The Choctaws will be back on the road on Saturday when they face Ozarks at 3:00 p.m. in Clarksville, AR.