CLINTON, Miss. --- The Mississippi College men's basketball team made up a 12-point, first-half deficit, but could not come all the way back as they fell to Mary Hardin-Baylor, 75-63, on Saturday night in A.E. Wood Coliseum.

The Choctaws (4-2, 2-2 ASC) took their first lead of the game at 38-37 when junior Daryl Duncan nailed a three-pointer with 15:20 to go in the game.  When junior Brandon Blake hit a jumper with 2:26 remaining, the game was tied at 63-63.

On the next possession, Cory Meals came away with a loose ball and hit his third three-pointer of the night to give The Cru (4-2, 2-2 ASC) the lead for good.  UMHB would score the final 12 points of the contest.

Blake led the Choctaws with 18 points, but went just 6-17 from the floor.  As a team, MC shot just 34% (21-62) from the floor and only 59% (17-29) from the foul line.  In the second half, MC did go 12-15 from the free throw line, however.

On the other hand, they only turned the ball over 10 times, and had 23 points off UMHB turnovers.  Senior Adam Smith and junior Turmonte Ragland each had three steals for MC.

The Cru had the hot hand in the second half, shooting 52% (14-27) from the floor.  Brian Todd tallied a double-double for UMHB with 16 points and 11 rebounds.  Kitrick Bell led the team with 17 points.

The Choctaws will be back in action on Friday, December 14th, when they travel to Memphis, Tenn. to face Rhodes at 7:00 p.m.