MOBILE, Ala. - The University of Mobile Men's Basketball team hosted Faulkner University on Thursday, Nov. 18 in what was the first conference game of the season for both teams. Despite a comeback late in the second half, Faulkner managed to hold the lead and defeat Mobile, 78-77. Faulkner, who entered Thursday's game receiving votes to enter the NAIA Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll, improves the overall record to 5-1 on the season and 1-0 in conference play. Mobile falls back to .500 on the season at 4-4 and 0-1 in SSAC action.
The Rams trailed Faulkner for the majority of the game, but started an offensive run late to shrink the deficit to just one point. With just 56 seconds left on the game clock in the second half, Mobile started that offensive run after trailing the Eagles by nine points. Mobile then scored eight-straight after a couple of defensive stops following press defenses off Faulkner inbound passes, but saw the clock run out before Mobile could get the final shot off.
Mobile saw four players record double-digit point totals on Thursday, led by Gary Jefferson with 16 points. To go with his 16 points, Jefferson mixed in four rebounds, three assists, and one steal. Jefferson now averages just over 14 points per game in his six games played on the year.
Joshua Williams also had a nice night for Mobile, getting his third start of the season while recording 15 points in the loss. Williams needed just one rebound and two assists for a triple-double. He led the team with nine rebounds and eight assists on Thursday.
Both Demariee Jones and Sage McKenna recorded 12 points each on Thursday while also each grabbing four rebounds. As a team, Mobile shot 44% from the floor.
The Rams will return to action this Saturday, Nov. 20 for an exhibition game against NCAA Division I's South Alabama at the Mitchell Center in Mobile, Ala. at 3:00 p.m. CT. Exhibition games do not count on Mobile's regular season record. The game will count on South Alabama's record, however.
Mobile's next game that counts will come on the road next week in Waleska, Ga. against non-conference foe Reinhardt University on Friday, Nov. 26.
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are: Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.
