Clinton, Miss. -- It came down to the final eight minutes of play as the Hawks earned a hard-fought 68-67 win over Mississippi College on the road Thursday night.

The Choctaws took the lead earn in the first half, scoring the game's first five points and never trailing in the first half as they took a 33-29 advantage into the second period.

For the half, MC shot 60.9%, while holding the Hawks to 36.4% shooting – 12.5% from beyond the arc.

The Choctaws opened the second half on a 7-2 run to extend their lead and led by 11 with 11:44 to play when the Hawks turned the momentum with a 12-0, 3:00 run. Shorter took its first lead of the night (54-53) on a layup and free throw for Phil Taylor. Before MC regained the lead moments later, after a 6-0 run made it a 59-54 game with 7:44 to play.

Amonte Potter answered for Shorter with a three to cut the lead to two, 57-59. But, MC countered with a three of their own form Antonio Johnson to bring their advantage back to five. The Hawks then tallied a 6-2 run, on a pair of free throws from Potter and Taylor and layup from Warren Helligar, over the next three minutes to cut the Choctaw led to three, 66-63. Before Taylor drained a three to tie the game with one minute left. MC went up by one on a free throw from Stacey Mack, but the Hawks answered in the final seconds as Taylor added a pair of free throws to take a 68-67 advantage.

The score stood as Johnson's last second attempt for MC rimmed out as the buzzer sounded.

In the second half, MC shot 53.9% while holding the Hawks to 46.2%.

Potter led all scorers with 21points in the contest, while Taylor was held to his lowest total of the season – 17. Eric Ross added 10 points for Shorter.

Three finished in double figures for Mississippi College with DeOndre Haynes leading the way with 20.

The Hawks, who's win streak reached four games Thursday night, will look to keep it going Saturday at Delta State. Game time is set for 5:00pm EST from Cleveland, Miss.