CLINTON, Miss. – University of West Alabama junior Charles Eaton came off the bench to hit a season high of 28 points, including 17 in the second half to stunt a rally by Mississippi College and secure a 78-69 win in Gulf South Conference men's basketball action at A.E. Wood Coliseum Thursday.

West Alabama improves on a five game win streak to move to 5-3 overall and opens up league play 1-0. It was the first GSC game for Mississippi College since the 1995-96 season, as they fall to 0-1 in the league; 2-1 overall.

"Charles has a lot to do with why we are playing better," said Allen Sharpe who wins in his first GSC contest as UWA's head coach.

"It took him a little while early on to get in the mix and learn where he fits, but he is really talented offensively and gives us a lot more fire power. We are lucky to have him. We just need to keep grooming him and he will have a great chance to be a special player here at West Alabama."

The Tigers made a run late in the first half to take a 13 point lead with five minutes remaining. They shot 68 percent (17-for-25) from the field to lead 39-28 at the break. The UWA defense did not allow a 3-point field goal from the Choctaws in the first half marking the third straight half of shutting out opponents behind the arc.

"Ever since we were in the Alaska tournament, we gained an understanding of defending," Sharpe said.

"That's going to be the difference in us having a successful season or not. They only made one 3-point field goal tonight. In our last game against Miles, they didn't even have a 3-point field goal. I don't care who you're playing, that's a good stat."

Mississippi College began its rally in the second half, opening with a 15-4 point run in the first five minutes to tie the game at 43-43. After five lead changes through the following 10 minutes, UWA went on a seven point run to take a 66-58 lead with three minutes left to play. The Tigers maintained its late run to claim the victory, despite being outscored 41-39 in the second half.

MC scored 26 of its second half points at the free throw line in 34 trips to the line. The Choctaws finished 10-for-27 from the field in the second half; 21-for-51 in the game. The Tigers shot 26-for-44 from the field, having posted 9-for-19 in the second.

"Down the stretch, the game got a little sloppy, but in the end we're happy to get a conference win on the road," said Sharpe. "The thing that killed us all night were turnovers. If we are shooting 60 percent from the field, we need more shots, but that's not happening if we're committing turnovers."

Justin Wright and Kenric McCants each added 14 points each. McCants finished 4-for-4 from the field with four assists, while Wright hit 4-for-5. On defense, the Tigers compiled eight blocks, led by Dakari Mayo with three.  

Four Choctaws posted double-digit points. Tory Rice led with 17 points, followed by Johnny Rucker with 14.