CLINTON, Ms. — The Mississippi College women\'s basketball team dropped their first game of the season to Mary Hardin-Baylor, 73-72. The Lady Choctaws (3-1, 0-1 ASC) were unable to hold on to an early lead and fell in their first American Southwest Conference game to the Lady Crusaders (1-1, 1-0 ASC).

The first half started fast for the Lady Choctaws as they jumped out to a lead as big as thirteen points. Senior forward Lacey Kennedy led the way for the Lady Choctaws with 11 first half points to give MC a five-point halftime lead, 36-31.

The second half was a different story as both teams went back and forth, exchanging leads seven times. Jessica Kelly of the Lady Crusaders had 11 second half points, as five UMHB players finished in double figures. Junior forward Shayla McLin had one final chance as time was running out, but was unable to convert. McLin finished with 12 points and four rebounds. Kennedy ended the game with 22 points and seven rebounds.

The Lady Choctaws will move on to play Concordia-Austin in A.E. Wood Coliseum on Monday night at 5:30 p.m.