Young horses run fast, old horses know the way. Unfortunately for the LC Wildcats, the saying rang true Tuesday night with their matchup against Mississippi College at H. O. West Field House. The Wildcats saw their two-game winning streak snapped with an 83-76 loss to a more experienced Choctaw lineup.

The Choctaws relied on their experience throughout the game to win a closely contested matchup. By comparison, the Wildcats freshmen played a combined 70 minutes while MC's didn't play at all. The Choctaw team, dominated by juniors and seniors, seem to display more poise in the game's final ten minutes and at the beginning. 

After starting the first five minutes with five fouls, the Wildcats found themselves trailing 12-5, but quickly managed to battle back with the help of senior Romanaski Williams off the bench. 

Williams poured in nine quick points to pull the Wildcats even with the Choctaws and eventually take a 37-36 lead at the half. Williams would finish with 14 points in 15 minutes of action to lead the LC scoring effort. 

The second half would see several scoring swings. The Wildcats hit back-to-back three point baskets, before MC battled back to regain a 48-44 lead. LC appeared to regain momentum after a steal and then dunk by freshman Anthony Gaines Jr. with 17:40 left to play, but that was unfortunately the beginning of a dry spell for the Wildcats. 

The Choctaws proceeded to go on a 12-0 run and grabbed a lead that they would not let go again. The Wildcats made one final push as junior Doc Welch led a comeback that saw LC get to within five of the Choctaws. Unfortunately, it was not enough as MC opened up its largest lead of 12 with just under five minutes to go and was never threatened again.

Joining Williams in double figures for the Wildcats were Welch with 12 points, Gaines and senior Danny Sumner with 11 each and freshman Kevin Cottonham with 10. Brandon Blake led the Choctaws with 20 points while Adam Smith had 18 and Lakin Ford 14. 

The Wildcats shot a respectable 43-percent from the field, but struggled from beyond the arc as they hit only 5-of-24 three-point shots (21-percent). MC would hit 31-of-56 shots for 55-percent. 

With the loss, the Wildcats fell to 3-7 on the season, 3-5 in the American Southwest Conference. MC improved to 8-5, 5-3 in the ASC. Next up for the Wildcats is another conference matchup this Thursday, Jan. 10 at LeTourneau at 7:30 p.m.