Mississippi Christian men’s basketball falls to Southern Arkansas, 82-70

Mississippi Christian opened its men’s basketball season with an 82-70 loss to Southern Arkansas on Tuesday night at A.E. Wood Coliseum, dropping to 0-1. The Choctaws trailed 36-25 at halftime and narrowed the gap to 57-50, but could not complete the comeback.

Mississippi Christian scored 48 points in the paint and outrebounded Southern Arkansas 44-40, but made only two of 15 3-point attempts. Phil Nelson led the Choctaws with 15 points, four assists and three steals, going 7-for-9 at the free-throw line. Dakotah Hillard added 12 points and six rebounds, while Jalen Hooks had nine points and a team-high 12 rebounds, along with two steals and a block.

The Choctaws are scheduled to face LeMoyne-Owen Friday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. in Memphis as part of the GSC-SIAC Crossover. They are scheduled to play Spring Hill College in Memphis Saturday, Nov. 14, at 3 p.m., then visit Tougaloo College Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 6 p.m. Mississippi Christian is set to host Pensacola Christian Thursday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. at A.E. Wood Coliseum.

Source: Mississippi College Athletics.