TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The University of Mobile Men's Basketball team came away with an important conference victory over the Stillman College Tigers on Tuesday night, Jan. 3, improving the overall record on the 2022-23 season to 9-5 and 4-3 in SSAC action. On Stillman's home court, the Rams controlled the majority of the game and eventually held off a late comeback by the Tigers to earn the 70-64 win. In the win, two Rams came away with double-doubles to lead Mobile to victory.
Rams Take Care of Business at Stillman
In a game that saw both teams trade the lead early in the first half, it was Mobile that eventually claimed the lead in the latter half of the first and never looked back. Mobile managed to hold an eight-point lead at halftime, leading Stillman, 33-25. Through the first 20 minutes, Mobile put together a 41% shooting line, while making five of six free throw attempts. Meanwhile, Stillman shot 40% in the first half, making two less baskets than Mobile from the floor.
Following the break, Mobile came out shooting and eventually saw their largest lead of the night at 13 points with just over 11 minutes left in the game. However, the Rams have struggled with finishing games during the season and saw Stillman begin a late comeback. Through the next nine minutes, Mobile's lead evaporated to just one point with just over a minute left in regulation. However, Stillman was unable to make a couple of three-point shots and the Rams managed to make their last eight free throws to put the game away. Tuesday's victory for Mobile is just the second time in the last six meetings where the Rams came away as the victor.
Mobile shot 52% in the second half and 45% from the floor throughout the entire game. Additionally, the Rams knocked down 21 of 24 free throw attempts, good for a season-best 87.5% line. Defensively, Mobile forced 14 Stillman turnovers and capitalized with 19 points off giveaways. The Rams won the rebound battle at 29-25.
DaMariee Jones led all players in scoring on Tuesday night, tallying a season-high 25 points. Jones was one of two Rams to notch double-doubles in the win as he finished with 11 rebounds, three offensively. He was followed by Ezra McKenna who collected his team-high ninth double-double of the year, ending the night with 11 points and 10 boards. McKenna continues to lead Mobile on the season by averaging over 15 points per game. Additionally, Pooh Frazier recorded 12 points in the win, second-highest on the night for Mobile.
Overall, the Rams have now won six of the last eight games played dating back to Nov. 29. On the season, Mobile averages over 75 points per game, shooting 48.6% from the floor and 66.5% from the free throw line. During the last three games, Mobile has been without starter Trent Moye, who is Mobile's second leading scorer. In that span, the Rams are 2-1 and averaging just over 70 points per game.
Back to the Pharr
The Rams will hope that Tuesday's big road win propels Mobile to a Saturday victory over an always talented Faulkner University team. Saturday's meeting with the Eagles at home in Pharr Gymnasium is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. CT and is the first of two regular season meetings between the two teams. Faulkner has won the last four meetings against Mobile, with the Rams last defeating the Eagles in early 2019.
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.
