MOBILE, Ala. - The University of Mobile Women's Basketball team opened the home portion of the 2022-23 schedule on Tuesday evening, Nov. 1 with a non-conference game against the College of Coastal Georgia in Pharr Gymnasium. After Coastal Georgia led for much of the first quarter, the Rams claimed their first lead early in the second quarter and never looked back, eventually defeating the Mariners 58-53 to earn the first victory of the season and improve to 1-2 on the year. Coastal Georgia falls to 0-1 to begin their season.
Recap - First Win of 2022-23
Following a sloppy first quarter that saw both Mobile and Coastal Georgia tied at 10 and shoot under 30% from the floor, Mobile managed a strong second quarter where the Rams put up 18 points. Nine of Mobile's 18 points in the quarter came from Erica Jones, who averaged 10.5 points per game through Mobile's first two games of the season. The Rams saw their second quarter lead increase to 10 points at one point, but Coastal Georgia closed out the first half with a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to just four points. Mobile had the edge at halftime, 28-24.
In the third quarter, both teams put together their best offensive numbers on the night as Mobile scored 21 points alone coming out of halftime. For Coastal Georgia, the Mariners managed 19 points and shot just under 60% from the floor. The Rams had a five-point advantage going into the final quarter of the game.
In the final 10 minutes, Coastal Georgia managed a offensive run which saw the Mariners cut the Mobile lead to just two points with under three minutes left. However, two late layups and a made free throw by Erica Jones put the Mariners away as the Rams came away with their first win of the season, 58-53.
Jones finished the night leading Mobile with a season-high 21 points, while tallying seven rebounds. As a team, the Rams struggled to shoot consistently, recording a shooting percentage just north of 30% from the floor. Mobile also struggled with free throws throughout the game, making just seven of 18 free throw attempts. From the three-point line, Mobile connected with five shots from deep, three from Mary Denman Luker who tallied 13 points from off the bench.
Denman Luker was not the only Ram to see success from off head coach Erika Stuckman's bench as Rachel Leclerc finished just two points shy of a double-double and matching a career-high in points scored in a game. The sophomore finished with a game-high 13 rebounds, seven of which were offensive boards, and notched eight points in 22 minutes of playing time. Additionally, Leclerc tallied two assists.
Back on the Road
For Mobile, Tuesday's home opener was the first and last home game for the entire month of November as the Rams start a stretch of seven-straight home games, not including a road exhibition game against Nicholls State on Nov. 10. Mobile will compete in an SSAC v. SUN Conference challenge this weekend in Lake Wales, Fla. and will face Keiser University at 2:30 p.m. CT on Friday, Nov. 4 and follow that with a 12:00 p.m. CT game against Webber International on Saturday, Nov. 5.
On Monday, Nov. 7, the Rams head west to New Orleans, La. for a non-conference game against Dillard University at 5:30 p.m. CT before beginning SSAC action on Nov. 17 at Life University in Marietta, Ga.
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.
For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
