H. AUSTILL PHARR GYMNASIUM | MOBILE, Ala. - Under the direction of fifth-year head coach Darnell Archey, the University of Mobile Men's Basketball program began the 2023-24 season at home on Friday night, Oct. 28, hosting and defeating Pensacola Christian College (Fla.) in the process, 79-51. For the first time in over a decade, Mobile begins the season ranked atop the SSAC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll, while being ranked nationally at No. 22 in the NAIA Men's Basketball Preseason Poll. The Rams finished last season with the first winning record since Archey took over the helm and returns the entire starting lineup ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
Game Recap: Mobile Rolls the PCC Eagles
The Rams opened Friday's non-divisional matchup with the Pensacola Christian Eagles with an 11-0 run, allowing PCC a total of just 14 points alone in the first half. Pensacola Christian made their first shot of the night after five minutes ticked off the clock. Meanwhile, Mobile's offense was on fire to begin the contest, with DaMariee Jones slamming home not one, but two alley-oops in the half to get the crowd loud. The Rams tallied 46 points alone through the first 20 minutes, leading 46-14 at halftime. Pressure was on the PCC offense to avoid a blowout in the second half.
In the second half, Pensacola Christian did manage to outscore Mobile, finishing the game with a 14-0 run through the final four minutes. However, the big first half performance by the Rams proved to be the difference in a 28-point victory for the home team. Mobile notched 33 points in the second half, with PCC recording 37. With a large lead, Mobile Head Coach Darnell Archey emptied his entire bench throughout the final 20 minutes of the game, with every player on the official roster touching the floor for at least two minutes. Of the 17 players that played for Mobile on Friday, 10 finished with at least one bucket in the victory.
Box Score Notables
As a team, the Rams finished the season opener with a 39% shooting line, while shooting 53% from the free throw line. Mobile made 28 total shots from the floor against PCC, seven of which coming from downtown for three. On the opposite end, Pensacola Christian only mustered a 32% shooting percentage, making just three three-pointers.
Senior Pooh Frazier led the Rams with 16 points and three steals, adding three rebounds and three assists. Frazier made three three-pointers in the win. He was followed by DaMariee Jones who totaled 13 points and Mobile newcomer Treylan Smith who recorded 12 points. Smith's 12 points came from off the bench in 19 minutes of playing time.
Ezra McKenna and Sage McKenna flirted with double-doubles in Friday's win, with older brother Sage grabbing a team-high 11 rebounds and scoring eight points from off the bench and Ezra finishing with nine rebounds and seven points. As a team, Mobile recorded 53 boards, 19 coming from the offensive side.
Monday Action in the Pharr
With Mobile improving to 1-0, the Rams are scheduled to return to action on Monday evening, Oct. 30 in Pharr Gymnasium, hosting Southern University of New Orleans (La.) at 7:00 p.m. CT. Monday's game is a non-conference game and is the first NAIA divisional game for both teams.
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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.
