NEW ORLEANS, La. - The University of Mobile Men's Basketball team came away with the fifth consecutive win on Tuesday evening, Nov. 21, defeating Southern University of New Orleans (La.) 76-66 to improve to 7-1 on the 2023-24 season. Mobile's win over SUNO on Tuesday is the second victory this year over the Knights, with the Rams winning 94-60 at home back on Oct. 30. Mobile's five-game winning streak comes at a good time as the next NAIA Men's Basketball Top 25 Coaches' Ratings will be released soon, with Mobile expected to jump in the poll.
Game Recap: Road Warrior Rams Hand SUNO Ninth Loss This Year
In a highly-favorable game, Mobile kept the SUNO Knights winless on the season with the 10-point victory. Mobile outscored SUNO 37-36 through the first half, shooting above 57% in the process. For SUNO, the Knights also shot 57%, with both teams making 15 shots each through the first 20 minutes.
In the second half, the Rams proved to be too strong for SUNO, scoring nine more points than the Knights to eventually earn the win. Mobile ended Tuesday's game with a 55% shooting line, making 28 total shots and adding a 14-for-18 free throw mark throughout the game. However, the Rams were only able to make six three-pointers in the victory. For SUNO, the Knights shot 40%, struggling in the second half with a 30% shooting mark.
For the second time this season, DaMariee Jones tallied 22 points against SUNO, leading Mobile in scoring and tallying a team-high five blocks. Ezra McKenna followed Jones' performance with 21 points, adding 13 rebounds for his fifth double-double this year. Prior to Tuesday's game, McKenna has been named SSAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week for three consecutive weeks. Additionally, both McKenna and Jones led the team with six assists a piece.
Trent Moye and Treylan Smith also produced offensively for Mobile, with Moye recording 16 points and three assists and Smith finishing with 10 points and three rebounds. As a team, Mobile forced 12 SUNO turnovers and trailed the rebound battle by one at 33-34.
Conference Rivals Meet Next
With Mobile riding a five-game winning streak, the Rams are set to host conference rival William Carey University (Miss.) next on the schedule. Mobile's meeting with the Crusaders is scheduled for Tuesday night, Nov. 28 in Pharr Gymnasium, with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m. CT.
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.
