H. AUSTILL PHARR GYMNASIUM, MOBILE, Ala. - For the first time during the 2022-23 season, the University of Mobile Women's Basketball team has claimed back-to-back victories following a 61-53 win on Thursday evening, Dec. 15 over Middle Georgia State University. Thursday's win saw Mobile outscore the Knights of Middle Georgia State in three of the four quarters played, and saw the Rams' defense shut down several players on the opposing roster. Mobile improves to 5-8 overall on the season with the win, while moving their current SSAC record back to .500 at 2-2. After a slow start to the season, the Rams have now won three of the last four games played.
Mobile Solid in Thursday Conference Action
Mobile looked to be the better team in the meeting with Middle Georgia State at home on Thursday as the game saw just two lead changes. The Knights started the first quarter quick by scoring the first couple of baskets, but as soon as Mobile grabbed the lead later in the first quarter, the Rams did not look back. Through the first three quarters, Mobile outscored their opponent and managed a 33-27 lead at halftime.
In the second half, Mobile scored 19 points alone in the third quarter, while surviving a Middle Georgia State comeback in the fourth quarter. The Knights held Mobile to just nine points in the final 10 minutes, while scoring 14 of their own. Mobile's lead extended to a game-high 14 points at one point in the second half, but Middle Georgia State managed to cut that to single digits as the clock continued to roll. Eventually, Mobile kept their lead intact and won the game by eight points.
Coming into Thursday's matchup, Middle Georgia State saw three players averaging over 16 points per game on the season. However, the Mobile defense forced those three shooters to finish well below their season average, all while forcing the Knights to turn the ball over 19 times. As a team, Mobile came up with nine steals, five alone by Cosette Balmy who finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
The Rams were led by Erica Jones, who tallied 17 points. After scoring just six points through the first half, Jones went off in the third quarter, scoring 11 points coming out of the halftime break. Jones was one rebound shy of a double-double in the win. Rachel Leclerc followed Jones and matched Balmy with 10 points on Thursday, adding three rebounds and two assists. As a team, Mobile shot only 31% from the floor, but made 22 of 30 free throws and committed 14 turnovers.
Another Conference Game on Saturday
Mobile will play one more game in Pharr Gymnasium ahead of the Christmas holiday, with the game coming this Saturday, Dec. 17 at 12:00 p.m. CT. Mobile will host Brewton-Parker College at noon on Saturday, with hopes to win their third-straight game.
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.
