H. AUSTILL PHARR GYMNASIUM | MOBILE, Ala. - The University of Mobile Women's Basketball team improved to 6-1 overall on the season following a big victory over Faulkner University (Ala.) over the weekend, defeating the Eagles 93-76 at home on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 18. The win over Faulkner snaps a three-game losing skid to the conference foe dating back to November of 2021, while improving this year's SSAC record to 2-0 to open the conference portion of the 2023-24 schedule. Additionally, the 93 points put up by the Rams is the second-highest point total this season as the offense continues to click under first-year head coach Sydney Westry.
Game Recap: Rams Turning Heads in the SSAC
In Saturday's meeting with Faulkner, Mobile's offense rolled and managed to score at least 20 points in every quarter. The game opened with Mobile scoring 22 points alone through the first 10 minutes, setting the tone of the game. Faulkner only managed 13 points in the first, but stormed back offensively in the second quarter of the game. Despite scoring 20 points in the second, Mobile allowed 24 points for the Eagles and took a close 42-37 lead to halftime.
The Rams once again had a strong start to a half coming out of halftime, tallying 23 points in the third quarter. For Faulkner, the Eagles pushed across 15 points in the third, but followed that with another 24-point performance in the final 10 minutes of the game. However, Mobile's best quarter of the game came in the fourth as the Rams put the game out of reach with a whopping 28 points. The game went final with Mobile earning the 17-point victory.
In every quarter in Saturday's victory, Mobile shot above 35% from the floor as a team, closing out the game with back-to-back quarters of shooting 50% or better. The Rams made a total of 33 shots (42.9%), making 19 of 21 free throw attempts in the process. Faulkner struggled to shoot consistently against Mobile, recording a sub-40% shooting line. Additionally, the Rams out-rebounded the Eagles, 45-30, with 16 of the 45 boards coming on the offensive side. Mobile converted 16 second-chance points following offensive rebounds.
Individually, Erica Jones paced Mobile with 25 points, adding six rebounds, one block, and one assist. Alanna Donaldson followed with 18 points and a pair of steals in the win, while Miriam Oldarcre tallied 18 points and six rebounds from off the bench. MacKenzie White came away with a game-high 15 rebounds, while scoring six points.
Following the victory on Saturday, Mobile Head Coach Sydney Westry posted on "X", FKA as Twitter, that she was proud of her team's performance against Faulkner and that her team came to play in all four quarters after being challenged earlier in the week.
Early Season Numbers
Through seven games played this season, Mobile has begun to turn heads around the SSAC, opening conference play 2-0 and averaging over 82 points per contest. In the Rams' two conference games played, Mobile is averaging over 89 points per game. Additionally, the team is averaging 46 rebounds and shooting over 68% from the free throw line during the 6-1 start to open the year.
Erica Jones averages 21.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game to lead the charge, while Alanna Donaldson averages 13.1 points per game.
Return to Non-Conference Play
Mobile will be back in action on Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 21 with a non-conference road game against Dillard University (La.) in New Orleans, La. Tuesday's game is set for 1:00 p.m. CT as the Rams look to win their fifth matchup against the Bleu Devils in the last six meetings.
FOLLOW THE RAMS
For complete coverage of University of Mobile Athletics, follow the Rams on social media at /MobileRams (Facebook), @UMobileRams (Twitter), and @umobilerams (Instagram), or visit the official home of the University of Mobile Athletic Department at https://umobilerams.com/.
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.
