MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Mississippi College men's basketball mounted a second-half comeback and took a late lead, but Spring Hill College answered in the closing seconds to escape with a 96-93 victory over the Choctaws on Saturday at Bruce Hall/Johnson Gymnasium.
Mississippi College (1-2) erased a 12-point halftime deficit and battled back to take a one-point lead with 2:35 remaining. However, Spring Hill (1-1) regained control in the final minute, handing the Choctaws a tough road loss despite a strong offensive performance in the second half.
The Choctaws finished with four players scoring in double figures, led by London Fields' 28 points and 11 rebounds. Phil Nelson added 21 points, while Dakotah Hillard contributed 16 points and Sawyer Griffin finished with 10.
Mississippi College opened the contest with an early 4-2 advantage after Dakota Morris knocked down a pair of jump shots. Spring Hill responded with a quick scoring run, as Houston Cunningham converted a steal into a basket before adding a fast-break layup to put the Badgers in front, 7-4.
Spring Hill continued to build its advantage with perimeter shooting from Sheldon Gatlin and Isaiah Lopez. Lopez connected from beyond the arc at the 11:32 mark to give the Badgers a 28-14 lead.
The Choctaws worked to stay within striking distance, receiving contributions from Fields, Nelson and Griffin. Griffin connected on a 3-pointer with 5:44 remaining in the opening half to cut the deficit to 42-32.
Nelson continued to provide an offensive spark, scoring on a layup at the 2:12 mark to bring Mississippi College within 10 points at 50-40. Spring Hill answered with a dunk from Keaton Cross and a fast-break layup by Samuel Prince to maintain its momentum.
Hillard added a late jumper for the Choctaws, but Spring Hill carried a 54-42 advantage into the locker room.
Mississippi College came out with renewed energy after halftime, looking to chip away at the deficit. Following an early Spring Hill basket, Hillard and Fields provided consecutive scoring opportunities for the Choctaws. Fields then knocked down a 3-pointer at the 18:41 mark to bring MC within 57-49.
The Badgers eventually pushed their lead back to 12 points at 73-61, but the Choctaws responded with one of their strongest stretches of the afternoon.
Mississippi College put together a nine-point run behind contributions from Fields, Nelson and Elijah Causly. The rally brought the Choctaws back into the contest, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
Fields continued his strong afternoon by connecting on another 3-pointer with 6:35 remaining, tying the game at 79. The two teams traded baskets from there, with neither able to establish a comfortable advantage.
Hillard delivered another important basket with 3:22 remaining, converting a layup to even the score at 86.
After Spring Hill regained the lead on a basket from Zahir Gutierrez, Fields went to the free-throw line and made one of two attempts. Hillard followed by securing the offensive rebound and converting the putback, giving Mississippi College its first lead of the late-game stretch at 89-88 with 2:35 remaining.
Nelson extended the Choctaws' advantage by making both free throws to push the score to 91-88.
Spring Hill, however, answered with a 3-pointer from Gutierrez to tie the game. Hillard responded with another basket to put Mississippi College back in front, 93-92, but the Badgers came through in the final moments.
Cross converted two free throws to put Spring Hill ahead before Gutierrez added a layup with nine seconds remaining. The Choctaws were unable to find another answer as the Badgers held on for the 96-93 victory.
Despite the result, Mississippi College showed offensive efficiency and strong ball movement throughout the contest. The Choctaws recorded 25 assists on 35 made field goals and outrebounded Spring Hill, 39-29.
Fields led all Mississippi College scorers with 28 points, connecting on four 3-pointers while recording 11 rebounds and five assists. His performance gave him a double-double and highlighted an all-around afternoon for the junior guard.
Nelson also delivered a productive performance, finishing with 21 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Hillard added 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field, along with five rebounds and four assists. Griffin rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points and four assists.
While the Choctaws found success offensively, turnovers proved to be an important factor. Mississippi College committed 13 turnovers compared to just five by Spring Hill, giving the Badgers additional opportunities to maintain their advantage.
The Choctaws will look to respond Tuesday when they travel to Jackson, Mississippi, to take on Tougaloo College. Mississippi College will aim to build on its second-half offensive production and turn its late-game competitiveness into a victory as it continues its early-season schedule.
