CLINTON, Miss. --- The Mississippi College men's basketball team overcame a 15-point first-half deficit on their way to a 97-85 victory over Concordia Texas on Thursday night at A.E. Wood Coliseum.

The Choctaws (4-1, 2-1 ASC) shot 68% (19-28) from the floor in the second half and went 6-12 from the three-point line on the night to earn the comeback victory.

After starting the game 7-11 from behind the arc, the Tornados (2-2, 2-1 ASC) went just 3-20 the rest of the way in the loss.

Junior Laquavius Cotton led MC with a season-high 23 points on 6-10 shooting from the floor, including going 4-6 from the three-point line.  Cotton also had five rebounds and went 7-8 from the foul line.

When Henry Riasco hit a three-pointer with 4:59 left in the first half, Concordia took their largest lead of the game at 39-24.  The Choctaw defense held the Tornados to just three points the rest of the period and trailed only 42-34 at the half.

The Choctaws scored just 24 points over the first 15 minutes, but exploded for 73 points in the final 25 of the game.

To open the second half, MC went on a 27-10 run to grab a 61-52 lead with 12:02 remaining in the game.  The Choctaws would then push the advantage out to 20 points on a tip-in by junior Turmonte Ragland with 5:21 remaining.

The Choctaws punished Concordia on the inside, scoring 50 points in the paint.  They also had 24 fast break points to just 10 for the high-flying Tornados.

Junior Brandon Blake scored 20 points for the third time this season, going 7-10 from the field and pulling down six rebounds.  Junior Daryl Duncan was also in double-figures with 10 points.

The Choctaws had 21 assists on 32 baskets, led by Duncan and Ragland with five apiece.  Ragland also had a game-high 11 rebounds to go along with nine points.  Senior Jarvis Moore had four assists to go along with nine points.

Shelby Parson led the Tornados with 13 points, while Terry Corprew had 12.  Brett DeMetrotion was also in double-figures with 10 points.  Nick Haynes, Concordia's leading scorer, had nine points in the first 10 minutes, but was held scoreless the rest of the way.

The Choctaws will be back in action on Saturday when they host Mary Hardin-Baylor at 7:30 p.m. in the "Golden Dome".  The Tornados will face Louisiana College on Saturday.