Clarksville, Ark.-Mississippi College fought off a ferocious second half comeback by Ozarks to pick up a 84-80 victory in American Southwest Conference action Thursday in Clinton, Mississippi.
The Choctaws (13-4, 9-4) appeared to have a handle on the game, leading 77-63 with 5:27 remaining, but the Eagles (9-9, 7-6) scored the game’s next 12 points to cut it to 77-75 with 1:40 left. Colby Woolverton started the run by nailing three free throws and Tony Daniels ended it by completing a three-point play. The Choctaws eventually scored on a pair of free throws to stop the run, but Tony Brock had a steal and a layup to cut it to 79-77 with 45 seconds left. After Mississippi College hit two more free throws, Woolverton made two of his own with 16 ticks on the clock to get within 81-79. However, Mississippi College came back with two more freebies and then forced Ozarks to miss a three-pointer with 11 seconds left.
Both teams shot well from the field, with Mississippi College shooting 60 percent and Ozarks hitting 51 percent. The Choctaws held a 42-34 halftime lead and increased their advantage to 13-points early in the second half.
Chris Williams was one of four players in double figures for Ozarks. Williams shot 7-of-9 from the field and scored 18 points. Woolverton nailed three three-pointers and scored 17 points. Tony Daniels and Brock each contributed 16 points.
Ozarks will travel to Pineville, Louisiana, to face Louisiana College Saturday.
Topics: Athletics