TALLADEGA, Ala. - The University of Mobile Men's Basketball team picked up what could be considered as the best win of the young 2022-23 season on Tuesday night, Nov. 29, as the Rams came away with a road win over Talladega College, 72-67. Talladega finished as the runner-up in last season's NAIA Men's Basketball National Title game and has defeated Mobile in the last four meetings. The win for Mobile on Talladega's home court puts the Rams back over .500 on the season at 4-3, while earning them the first conference victory over the season. Mobile's SSAC record now sits at 1-2.
Big Win Ahead of Big Game This Weekend
Following a slow start offensively for both teams on Tuesday night in Talladega, Ala., the Tornadoes took a one-point advantage over Mobile to halftime, 27-26. Both teams finished with a 9-for-24 line through the first 20 minutes, good for a 37.5% shooting line. However, the second half was a different story as both teams eclipsed 40 points in the final 20 minutes, with the Rams coming out on top.
Mobile managed to put up 46 points in the second half, while holding Talladega to 40 points. The big second half gave Mobile the five-point win, snapping the four-game losing streak the Rams were riding against the Tornadoes. For Mobile, the Rams made 12 shots from the floor and shot above 63% in the second half alone. Through the entire game, the Rams managed a 50% shooting percentage and 50% three-point percentage, making 10 threes in the victory. Meanwhile, Talladega shot 43% in the defeat and allowed 14 Mobile points off 11 turnovers.
The Rams saw four of their five starters reach double-digit points totals in the win, being led by Ezra McKenna with 17 points. Additionally, McKenna was one rebound shy of collecting a double-double against the Tornadoes. He is now averaging 13.1 points per game and is .04 rebounds away from averaging a double-double through seven games on the season.
Pooh Frazier matched a season-high on Tuesday, finishing second on the team with 15 points. Frazier led the Rams with three steals and was followed by PJ King and Trent Moye who both scored 14 points. For Moye, the sophomore currently leads Mobile by averaging just under 15 points per game, while King notched a new career-high with his 14 points on Tuesday.
From the free throw line on Tuesday, Mobile as a team went 20-for-28, the Rams' second-best free throw performance of the season.
Matchup with Reigning NAIA National Champions On Deck
Following Mobile's big conference win over Talladega College on Tuesday, the Rams will face the team that defeated Talladega in the 2021-22 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship next.
Mobile will host Loyola University (La.) on Saturday, Dec. 3 in Pharr Gymnasium for a 2:00 p.m. CT tip. Mobile has fallen in four-straight meetings with the Wolf Pack, but will look to stop that skid on Saturday in the Rams' first home game in the Pharr since Oct. 29.
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.
