H. AUSTILL PHARR GYMNASIUM | MOBILE, Ala. - Despite early struggles offensively on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 18, the University of Mobile Men's Basketball team came away with a double-overtime victory over Faulkner University (Ala.), snapping a six-game losing skid to the Eagles in the process. No. 16 Mobile defeated Faulkner 83-80 on Saturday, with the win being head coach Darnell Archey's first victory against the conference foe. Prior to Saturday's meeting, Faulkner has managed 11 wins in the last 13 meetings against Mobile dating back to the 2015-16 season.
For the Rams, the big win improved the overall record to 6-1 this season, while staying unbeaten at 2-0 to open the conference portion of the 2023-24 schedule.
Game Recap: Good Teams Find a Way to Win
In Saturday's game against Faulkner, it was a slow start for the Mobile offense, an offense that put up 102 points against Thomas University (Ga.) just two days prior. The Rams managed to make only seven shots through the first half, finishing the half with a 21% shooting line as a team. Fortunately for the Rams, Faulkner was not much better, shooting just 37% and making 10 shots in the process. The Eagles took a 29-23 lead to halftime following the low-scoring first half.
In the second half, Mobile cut the deficit to just one point through the first four minutes of the half, but could never tie or grab the lead. Meanwhile, Faulkner managed a run over the Rams halfway through the second as the Eagles tried to upset the 16th-ranked team in the NAIA. With just seven minutes remaining in regulation, Faulkner's lead reached 11 points.
However, Mobile did not quit fighting trailing 11 late in the game, with the Rams beginning a late comeback. In the final minutes of the game, Mobile worked a 17-4 run to erase the deficit and take the lead by one following a made layup by Ezra McKenna with just 28 seconds left on the clock. However, a successful free throw by Faulkner tied the game at 62 points a piece immediately following McKenna's lead-changing basket. McKenna took the last shot as the clock hit zeros, just missing a game-winning jumper for Mobile.
In the first overtime period, both teams scored nine points each through the five added minutes, with McKenna once again making a clutch layup to keep the game alive for the Rams. McKenna's layup came near the buzzer and tied the game to force a second overtime. In the second overtime period, Mobile took the lead with just over three minutes remaining and never looked back, outscoring Faulkner 12-9 in the final five minutes of the game. Despite the 21% shooting percentage in the first half of Saturday's game, Mobile shot above 41% through the next three periods of the game to earn the 83-80 victory.
In total, Mobile made 30 shots and finished the win with a 35% team shooting percentage. Mobile made 16 of 25 free throw attempts, but only knocked down seven three-point shots in 28 attempts. Additionally, Faulkner out-rebounded the Rams, 49-42.
Ezra McKenna finished his Saturday performance with a game-high 26 points, adding nine rebounds. DaMariee Jones collected a double-double on Saturday, following McKenna's production with 18 points and a season-high 16 rebounds, and Pooh Frazier finished with 14 points and five boards, making two of Mobile's seven three-pointers.
Saturday's win may not have been the prettiest win for Mobile, but the Rams prevailed and knocked off a team that has had their number over the last several years.
Back on the Road for Non-Conference Action
After opening SSAC play with a 2-0 record, Mobile returns to non-conference action with a Tuesday night game against Southern University of New Orleans (La.) on Nov. 21. Tuesday's game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT and is the second game this season that Mobile has played SUNO.
The Rams earned a 94-60 victory against SUNO back on Oct. 30.
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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.
