CLINTON, MS - The Mississippi College women's basketball team will head into the American Southwest Conference Tournament after an 86-84 victory over Louisiana College on Monday night at A.E. Wood Coliseum.

The Lady Choctaws proved to be clutch from the free throw line, going 20-22 from the charity stripe in the second half, including making 16 in-a-row to end the contest.

After senior forward Jalessa Taylor nailed a jumper in the final seconds of the first half, the Lady Choctaws would take a 35-24 lead into the halftime break.

Louisiana College stormed back to take a 65-56 lead with 8:34 remaining in the game.  The Lady Choctaws answered with an 20-4 run over the next six minutes to take a 75-69 lead.

The Lady Wildcats took an 83-82 lead with :39 seconds remaining on two free throws from Roslyn Wilmer.  After a free throw miss and an offensive rebound by LC, sophomore Traci Rodgers picked Natosha Gottlieb's pocket and converted a jumper on the other end.

Shaina Howard went to the line for the Lady Wildcats with :08 seconds remaining and missed the second of two free throws to keep the game tied at 84.  Gottlieb rebounded the ball for LC, but was picked again by Rodgers, who was fouled by Shasidy Ludgood.

Rodgers went to the line and nailed both free throws, and LC's final attempt at a three-pointer from Ludgood went begging.

It was "Senior Night" for the Lady Choctaws, and the seniors shined, going 21-22 from the free throw line in the game.  Jennifer Wair tallied a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds.  Randa Lee recorded a season-high 14 assists and scored 10 points to record her first career double-double.

Jalessa Taylor led MC with 18 points and pulled down seven boards.  The Lady Choctaws would outrebound the Lady Wildcats by a margin of 44-32.

Rodgers poured in 15 points, while Elizabeth Brooks and Valeri Stewart also scored in double-figures with 11 and 10, respectively.

Tillisha Givens paced LC with 25 points and 11 rebounds on 11-13 shooting.  Roslyn Wilmer poured in 14 points and Shasidy Ludgood scored 11.  Kayla Guidry scored 12 points before fouling out with 2:07 remaining in the game.

Louisiana College shot 55% from the floor in the second half, but were only 4-25 from the three-point line in the game.

The Lady Choctaws will open the ASC Tournament on Friday afternoon as the #3 seed from the ASC East Division.  MC will face Hardin-Simmons at 2:30 p.m. in Brownwood, TX.