H. AUSTILL PHARR GYMNASIUM, MOBILE, Ala. - The University of Mobile Women's Basketball team concluded the 2022-23 regular season on Thursday night, Feb. 16, falling to the Life University Running Eagles 77-67 in Pharr Gymnasium. With the loss, Mobile ends the regular season with a 13-15 overall record and will enter the upcoming SSAC Women's Basketball Championship Tournament with a 9-9 conference record.
Referees Sound Whistle Often
In a game that stayed relatively close in score through the first three quarters, Life began pulling away in the fourth quarter by increasing the lead to a game-high 15 points. The Running Eagles managed to lead the Rams in every quarter as fouls became the story on Mobile's end. Through the full 40 minutes, the Rams were called for 27 team fouls, with two players fouling out of the game in the final quarter. Mobile's 27 fouls eventually sent the Running Eagles to the free throw line 35 times, with Life making 27 of 35 attempts for outstanding 77% free throw percentage. Meanwhile, Life was called for just 17 fouls in the game, sending Mobile to the line only 18 times. The Rams made 10 free throws in the 10-point loss.
As a team, the Rams recorded a 38% shooting line, making five threes. Four players recorded double-digit point totals in the defeat, with Cosette Balmy leading the way with 15 points. Balmy finished one rebound shy from a double-double on Thursday and added four assists and three steals. She was followed by MacKenzie White who notched 14 points on Thursday, while Alesha Temple tallied 11 points. Both White and Temple grabbed six rebounds each.
For Mary Denman Luker, Mobile's lone graduating senior, the Pell City, Ala. native played 23 minutes and finished her final game in Pharr Gymnasium with 10 points, leading Mobile with two made three-point shots in the loss. Denman Luker saw several family members and friends supporting her from the stands as she was honored following the game for senior night.
Postseason Play Upcoming
Overall, Mobile takes a record two games under .500 to the conference tournament in Montgomery, Ala., and will enter as either the fourth or fifth seed in the tourney. The Rams are guaranteed to play William Carey in the opening round due to seeding, with William Carey either earning the fourth or fifth seed.
The 2023 SSAC Women's Basketball Championship Tournament is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, Feb. 22 in Montgomery, Ala.
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.
