H. AUSTILL PHARR GYMNASIUM, MOBILE, Ala. - In the final regular season game of the 2022-23 season, the University of Mobile Men's Basketball team came away with a massive win over Dalton State College on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 18, defeating the Roadrunners 76-55 in Pharr Gymnasium. Coming into Saturday's action, Mobile and Dalton State, along with two other SSAC teams, were tied for third in the SSAC Men's Basketball standings, with Blue Mountain Christian sitting just one game back. The Rams needed a win and a Life University loss to claim the third seed in the upcoming conference tournament, which eventually transpired.
Mobile's win over the Roadrunners is the first victory over Dalton State in eight seasons for the Rams, snapping a 10-game losing streak. Additionally, the win is just the second win in history over Dalton State for Mobile as the Rams end the regular season with an 18-10 overall record and 12-8 SSAC record, ending a two-game losing streak in Pharr Gymnasium.
Mobile Controls Dalton State from Start to Finish
The Rams got off to a quick start over Dalton State on Saturday afternoon as several seniors from the competitive cheer team and men's basketball program were honored pregame for Senior Day. Alan Lang is the lone graduating senior from UM Men's Basketball, being awarded the start from head coach Darnell Archey in front of family and friends in attendance. Lang played 23 minutes and finished with two points, four rebounds, and came away with one block.
Through the first three and half minutes, the Rams got off to a 5-0 run, eventually allowing Dalton State to knock down their first shot four minutes into the game. Three minutes later, Mobile's quick start only improved as the Rams began the important conference finale with a 16-2 run. Offense was not on the side of Dalton State, with the Roadrunners making just seven shots for 16 points through the entire first half. Meanwhile, Mobile's offense was stellar, shooting 54% through the first 20 minutes and finishing with 38 points. With the Rams leading 38-16 at the break, head coach Darnell Archey wanted his team to finish and play sound defense through the second half.
In the second half, Dalton State's game plan seemed to change to a quick attack offensively, taking several three-point attempts early in the half. The Roadrunners were just 2-for-10 from the three-point line in the first half, but managed to make six threes in the second half. The made shots eventually cut into Mobile's lead as the Rams struggled to stop the Roadrunners' offense. With just over eight minutes remaining in regulation, Dalton State cut the Mobile lead from 24 points at one point to just eight points.
Well-used timeouts by head coach Darnell Archey of Mobile seemed the snap the Dalton State rally, however, as Mobile's offense turned on the jets late in the game. In four minutes, Mobile quickly increased their lead back to 15 points and eventually ended the game with an 18-5 run, winning the game by 21 points.
The Rams never trailed in Saturday's victory over the Roadrunners, while shooting 50% from the floor. From the three-point line, the Rams made eight threes, seven coming from Pooh Frazier who finished with a season-high 30 points. In Mobile's loss to Life University just two days prior, Frazier finished with 28 points, which was then a season-high. The transfer junior has a great shot to claim the SSAC's Men's Basketball Player of the Week honor by averaging 29 points per game in two games played this past week. On Saturday, Frazier added seven rebounds, three assists, and a team-high three steals.
DaMariee Jones also had a great offensive game, tallying 22 points, with seven rebounds. Jones shot 50% from the field and made six of eight free throw attempts against Dalton State. For Ezra McKenna, the sophomore notched his 19th double-double of the season, recording 16 points and 16 rebounds in the win.
Overall, Mobile dominated the rebound battle against Dalton State, securing 41 boards compared to the Roadrunners' 25. Dalton State only shot 38%, despite outscoring Mobile 39-36 in the second half. The Mobile defense forced 13 turnovers that eventually led to 12 points for the Rams.
Postseason Play has Arrived
With Mobile ending the regular season with the important win over Dalton State, the Rams will now look ahead to the 2022-23 SSAC Men's Basketball Championship Tournament where Mobile enters as the No. 3 seed. Mobile will face the sixth-seeded Toppers of Blue Mountain Christian next Thursday, Feb. 23 for a late 9:45 p.m. CT tip-off. Mobile and Blue Mountain split the two regular season matchups this season with one win a piece.
The conference tournament will be held at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl in downtown Montgomery, Ala. from Feb. 22-25.
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.
