H. AUSTILL PHARR GYMNASIUM | MOBILE, Ala. - Coming off just the second loss of the 2023-24 season, the University of Mobile Women's Basketball team responded well with a non-conference win on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 9, defeating Dillard University (La.) at home, 63-44. In the win, senior Erica Jones recorded a career milestone with her 1,000th-career point, coming in the early minutes of the first quarter against the Bleu Devils.
The victory for Mobile improves the overall record to 9-2 this season.
Game Recap
Erica Jones entered Saturday just two points shy of 1,000 in her four-year collegiate career at the University of Mobile and opened Saturday's game with the first point of the afternoon following a free throw attempt. Just three minutes later, Jones knocked down Mobile's first three-pointer of the game to surpass 1,000 career points. She eventually finished the first quarter leading all players with six points, while Mobile outscored Dillard 15-13 through the first 10 minutes. Despite leading by two, the Rams only shot 31% from the floor in the opening quarter, making five of 16 shot attempts.
In the second quarter, the shooting percentage for Mobile did not approve. Mobile finished 4-for-14 from the field in the second quarter, but still tallied as many points (11) as Dillard in the quarter. Mobile took a 26-24 lead to halftime, with both teams making just nine shots total in the first half.
Coming out of halftime, Mobile Head Coach Sydney Westry got her offense going as the Rams put together the best quarter of the game on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Mobile scored 26 points in the third quarter, led by Braylee McMath with 10 points, while holding the Bleu Devils to just eight points in the third. The Rams forced five Dillard turnovers as the opposition was only able to make two shots. For Mobile, the Rams made 11 of 17 shots. Following the big third quarter, Mobile took a 20-point lead to the fourth, where the Rams eventually put the game away.
In the fourth, Mobile added 11 more points, while Dillard scored 12. However, the third quarter proved to be the difference in the ball game as Mobile earned the 63-44 win.Â
Inside the Box Score
Erica Jones and Courtney Bradford led all players with 12 points each in the win on Saturday, with Jones adding eight rebounds and two blocks. Bradford matched a season-high with her 12 points against Dillard, collecting four rebounds and a steal in the process. Braylee McMath followed Jones and Bradford with 11 points, leading the Rams with five assists, and Alanna Donaldson led Mobile with four steals, while also recording eight points, five rebounds, and three assists.
As a team, Mobile finished with a 39% shooting mark, making 24 shots from the floor. Additionally, the Rams went 12-for-28 at the free throw line and out-rebounded the Bleu Devils, 42-37. Mobile forced 24 turnovers where the Rams eventually notched 20 points off Dillard giveaways.
Continuing Non-Conference Play
Mobile has a quick turnaround as the team is scheduled to return to play on Monday evening, Dec. 11. The Rams are scheduled to travel to New Orleans, La. for a non-conference meeting with Southern University of New Orleans (La.), with tip-off being set for 5:00 p.m. CT.
Monday's game against SUNO starts a busy week for Mobile as the Rams are scheduled for three road games in a six-day span.
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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.
