WEST POINT, Ga. - Coming off a one-point overtime loss to conference rival William Carey (Miss.) for the first conference defeat of the season, the University of Mobile Men's Basketball team responded well on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 2, winning 75-59 on the road against Point University to improve to 8-2 overall this season. Additionally, Mobile's meeting with the Skyhawks of Point was the first conference game in history between the two programs as the Rams' SSAC record improves to 3-1 this year.
Game Recap: Skyhawks Unable to Defend Reigning Four-Time Conference Player of the Week
Mobile opened Saturday's game in west Georgia with a 21-9 run through the first 13 minutes of the first half, eventually leading 32-27 at halftime after Point managed to put together an 18-11 run over the Rams in the closing minutes of the half. Mobile shot 42% through the first 20 minutes, with Ezra McKenna tallying 22 points and eight rebounds to lead all players. For Point, the Skyhawks were led by bench player Jacob Crockett who recorded 11 points in the first half, while the team shot just 29% from the floor.
In the second half, the Rams once again started quickly with a 13-8 run through the first five minutes, but allowed Point to close the deficit to just five points with 13 minutes remaining in regulation. However, Mobile proved to be too strong in the end, extending the second half lead to 15 points with seven and a half minutes left, eventually winning the game by 16 points at 75-59.
McKenna followed his big first half with 14 points in the second half to total a career-high 36 points in the victory. The reigning four-time SSAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week added four more rebounds in the final 20 minutes to record his seventh double-double of the season, while shooting 14-for-22 from the field and making six of eight free throw attempts. After recording two more double-doubles on the 1-1 week for Mobile, McKenna has a decent chance to earn his fifth consecutive conference player of the week honor. On the season, McKenna is averaging 19.7 points per game and 12.4 rebounds per contest through 10 games on the 2023-24 season.
DaMariee Jones followed McKenna's performance with 14 points in the win, with all 14 points coming in the second half after being held scoreless in the first. Jones only took seven shots in Saturday's game, with four going in, and added six successful free throw attempts. Jones added four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block to his numbers. As a team, the Rams finished the victory with a 54% shooting line, shooting over 65% in the second half. Mobile out-rebounded the Skyhawks, 37-33.
Back to Non-Divisional Action
The Rams are set to face Southeastern Baptist College (Miss.) in Laurel, Miss. for the next game on the schedule, taking place on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 2:00 p.m. CT. Through eight games against the SBC Chargers in history, Mobile is 8-0 all-time against the non-divisional rival.
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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.
