Mississippi Christian opened its season with an 82-70 loss to Southern Arkansas on Tuesday at A.E. Wood Coliseum in Clinton, Mississippi.
The Choctaws fell behind 7-0, then cut the margin to 9-7 behind baskets from Dakotah Hillard and Marcel Bridges. Southern Arkansas later stretched its lead to 21-9, and took a 36-25 advantage into halftime.
Mississippi Christian rallied early in the second half. Hillard scored inside, and Sawyer Griffin hit consecutive 3-pointers to bring the Choctaws within 38-33. Southern Arkansas responded with a run to go up 48-36. Mississippi Christian later closed the gap to 57-50, but could not get closer as the Muleriders pulled away.
Phil Nelson led Mississippi Christian with 15 points, four assists and three steals. He made 7 of 9 free throws. Hillard had 12 points and six rebounds, while Jalen Hooks grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds and scored nine points. Griffin finished with eight points, including two 3-pointers.
The Choctaws scored 48 points in the paint and outrebounded Southern Arkansas 44-40, but made just 2 of 15 attempts from 3-point range.
The calendar listed Mississippi Christian’s next game for Friday, Nov. 13, against LeMoyne-Owen in Memphis, Tennessee, as part of the GSC-SIAC Crossover. Tipoff was scheduled for 7 p.m. The team’s listed schedule also included a Saturday game against Spring Hill College in Memphis, followed by a Nov. 17 visit to Tougaloo College and a Nov. 19 home game against Pensacola Christian.
