H. AUSTILL PHARR GYMNASIUM, MOBILE, Ala. - In the final non-conference game of the regular season, the University of Mobile Men's Basketball team hosted Southeastern Baptist College on Tuesday night, Jan. 17 in Pharr Gymnasium and came away with a dominating 30-point victory, never trailing in the full 40 minutes. Mobile and Southeastern Baptist met back on Dec. 9 in Laurel, Miss. where the Rams escaped with a five-point win. However, Tuesday was a different story as the Rams won convincingly, 77-47.
The win for Mobile improves the all-time series record against the Chargers to 8-0, dating back to the 2019 season. On the 2022-23 season, Mobile improves to 12-6 overall following the win and are currently riding a three-game win streak entering two conference games on the road later this week.
Mobile Records Win with Ease
Following a scoreless first two minutes of Tuesday evening's game, Mobile got on the scoreboard with a massive dunk by DaMariee Jones, which seemed to set the tone of the game. Through the next 10 minutes, Mobile's lead extended to seven points, but a late offensive surge by the Rams eventually put Mobile up 19 at the break. Mobile shot above 60% from the floor through the first 20 minutes, being led by Jones and Ezra McKenna, who was already two rebounds shy of his 13th double-double of the season at halftime. Jones and McKenna notched 14 points each in the first. Trailing 39-20 entering the second half, Southeastern Baptist needed a quick start to attempt to avoid a blowout.
In the second half, the Chargers never found an offensive surge and were outscored 20-7 by Mobile through the first eight minutes of the half. Eventually, Mobile Head Coach Darnell Archey began pulling his starters from the game with Mobile up by 30 with 10 minutes to go. Eventually, every active player from the Mobile roster recorded minutes in the game as Mobile came away with the 77-47 victory.
Ezra McKenna led all players with 23 points and 13 rebounds in 24 minutes played. McKenna is the reigning back-to-back conference player of the week in the Southern States Athletic Conference, coming off a week where he averaged 11 rebounds and 25.5 points per game. His double-double against Southeastern Baptist gives him 13 total through 18 games on the season.
DaMariee Jones followed McKenna with 16 points and four assists, while Keon Walker notched eight points in his second-career start. Mobile players that have not appeared in many games this season also got in on the action late as Jared Harbin tallied four points and three rebounds, the first points and boards of his season. Liam Patterson played 26 minutes from off Darnell Archey's bench, tallying four points, and Tadeas Manas recorded two points and two rebounds, playing six minutes. Fans in Pharr Gymnasium gave each Ram an ovation as they entered the ballgame.Â
As a team, Mobile shot 53% from the floor, while holding the Chargers to a 31% shooting line. Mobile's defense forced 14 turnovers, recording eight steals in the process, and came away with 14 points off giveaways. Additionally, the Rams scored 13 points off second chance opportunities, tallying eight offensive rebounds as a team. Mobile out-rebounded Southeastern Baptist, 42-24.
Georgia Trip Looms Ahead
With non-conference play now in the rearview mirror for Mobile, the Rams will hit the road to the state of Georgia for two road conference games this week. Mobile is scheduled to face Middle Georgia State University in Cochran, Ga. on Thursday, Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. CT, and will then travel to Mount Vernon, Ga. for a 1:00 p.m. CT game on Saturday, Jan. 21.
The Rams will return home to Pharr Gymnasium next Tuesday, Jan. 24 for a conference game against Talladega College at 7:30 p.m. CT.
Â
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.
