WEST POINT, Ga. - In what was a back and forth game between two non-conference foes in West Point, Ga. on Wednesday, Nov. 3, the University of Mobile Women's Basketball team were handed their first loss of the season after Point University managed to hit a game-winning layup as time expired. With Thursday's loss, Mobile's overall record in the first couple of weeks of the season now sits at 3-1.
Early in the game, Mobile looked like the better team, leading the SkyHawks by five points at the end of the first and second quarters. Coming out of halftime, the Point defense held strong in the third quarter, only allowing the Rams nine points in the quarter alone. The SkyHawks took the lead to the fourth and final quarter after scoring 16 points in the third and leading, 41-39.
In the fourth quarter, Mobile and Point continued to trade the lead throughout the quarter. With just 19 seconds left and the Rams trailing by two points, Erica Jones drew and foul and made both free-throw attempts to tie the game at 58. On Point's final possession, Jones blocked the potential game-winning shot from the SkyHawks and got the rebound. However, a Point defender snuck behind Jones, stole the ball, and knocked down the game-winning shot with two seconds on the clock to steal the win from Mobile.
Following the loss, Mobile Head Coach Erika Stuckman was disappointed, but still has a lot of confidence in her team this season. With just five returners from last season's roster, Stuckman did a great job recruiting talented freshman and transfers during the offseason. She feels that her team could be underrated in the conference this year and see great success.
For the Rams, Sidney Sims led Mobile offensively in just her second game played on the year. Sims finished with a game-high 17 points and team-high five rebounds and four steals. Sims also managed two blocks in the loss. Erica Jones finished with 15 points in the defeat, grabbing four rebounds. Both Sims and Jones started for Stuckman on Wednesday with both playing over 28 minutes.
As a team, Mobile shot under 40% from the floor and 31% from three. The Rams were 10-14 from the free-throw line, good for 71%.
Mobile returns to action with an exhibition game against the University of South Alabama on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at the Mitchell Center in Mobile, Ala. Exhibition games do not count on the regular season record for the Rams. Mobile's next game that counts on the season will be at Pharr Gymnasium against crosstown rival, Spring Hill College. That game is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 5:30 p.m. CT.
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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.
