H. AUSTILL PHARR GYMNASIUM | MOBILE, Ala. - In the first conference game of the 2023-24 season on Thursday night, Nov. 16, the University of Mobile Men's Basketball team came out hot, managing a 37-point win over Thomas University (Ga.) in what was tabbed as the SSAC Men's Basketball Game of the Week. The dominating win opens the year with a 1-0 SSAC record for the Rams, while improving the overall record this season to 5-1 for the 16th-ranked team in the NAIA.
Game Recap: No Stopping Mobile
Thomas University had no answers for Mobile as the Rams controlled Thursday's game from start to finish. Mobile managed 53 points alone in the first half, while shooting 63% from the floor. Additionally, Mobile made 21 of 33 shots in the first half, while Thomas only scored 28 points off 10 made shots. The Night Hawks shot just 31% through the first 20 minutes. It was much of the same in the second half as Mobile added 49 points throughout the remaining 20 minutes, tallying a 57% shooting mark. The Night Hawks made 13 shots in the second half, recording 37 points. The game eventually went final with the Rams cruising to the win, 102-65.
Throughout Thursday's win, Mobile finished with a season-best 60% shooting line in the conference game of the week. The Rams matched their season-high with 40 made shots, adding 11 successful free throw attempts for the fourth-straight game. In addition, Mobile made a season-high nine three-pointers in the victory over the Night Hawks. For Thomas, Thursday's game was one to forget as the Night Hawks shot only 34%.
Junior Trent Moye led the charge offensively for Mobile, recording a career-high 30 points. Moye's previous high this season was 14 points in just the second game of the season. He tallied a 10-for-14 shooting line, making six three-pointers in the win. Moye added two rebounds and an assist to his totals against Thomas.
Ezra McKenna also had a strong night for Mobile, recording his fourth double-double of the season. The two-time SSAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week this season finished with 21 points and a season-high 18 rebounds as McKenna continues to average a double-double on the season with 16.2 points per game and 12.3 rebounds per contest. DaMariee Jones followed Moye and McKenna with 18 points and seven boards, while Treylan Smith picked up 15 points from off the bench, adding two rebounds. Overall, Mobile out-rebounded Thomas, 42-26.
This season, Mobile is averaging 85 points per game through six games played, shooting 47% as a team. Additionally, the Rams are averaging 43 rebounds and 15 assists per game, while shooting 33% from deep for three.
Big Game Saturday
Mobile has a short turnaround following the conference opener as the Rams host an always-talented Faulkner University (Ala.) team Saturday afternoon, Nov. 18. Saturday's game is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. CT in Pharr Gymnasium, with Mobile just 3-11 against the Eagles dating back to the 2015-16 season. The Rams will to look to snap a six-game losing skid to Faulkner on Saturday.
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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.
