MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The University of Mobile Men's Basketball team saw the 2022-23 season come to a close late Thursday night, Feb. 23, dropping a quarterfinal matchup against Blue Mountain Christian University. After a halftime lead, Mobile eventually fell to the Toppers of Blue Mountain Christian 62-61, ending the year with a 18-11 overall record, while tallying a 12-8 record in conference play.
The 18-11 season for the Rams is the best record under fourth-year head coach Darnell Archey, and the best overall record Mobile has put together in 10 seasons. Additionally, the Rams won more games away from home this year since the 2004-05 season, including knocking off reigning NAIA Men's Basketball National Champion Loyola University on their home floor in New Orleans, La.
Blue Mountain Mounts Comeback in Conference Tourney
Entering Thursday's late night action, Mobile and Blue Mountain Christian squared off for a 10:30 p.m. CT tip, eventually seeing the game come to an end after midnight. The Rams earned the No. 3 seed in this year's SSAC Men's Basketball Championship Tournament, while Blue Mountain entered as the sixth-seeded team. At halftime, it was Mobile who margined a six-point lead in a low scoring first half, outscoring the Toppers, 25-19. In the second half, both teams picked up the pace offensively, with the advantage going to Blue Mountain's side.
In the final 20 minutes, Blue Mountain managed to outscore Mobile 43-36, grabbing their first lead of the half with just two and half minutes remaining in regulation. Momentum quickly shifted to Blue Mountain's side in the final two minutes as the Toppers went on a 9-8 run to close out the game. Time ran out on Mobile offensively as the Rams were sent home from the tournament.
Overall, Mobile shot much better than Blue Mountain, tallying a 45% shooting percentage. Meanwhile, Blue Mountain only shot 36%, but made important shots late in the game to earn the comeback victory. The Toppers forced 20 Mobile turnovers on Thursday night, eventually scoring 20 points off the Rams' giveaways. On the other side, Mobile only forced 11 Topper turnovers.
Ezra McKenna notched his 20th double-double of the season in the loss, but was held to just 10 points in the game. He tallied a game-high 14 rebounds. Pooh Frazier finished with a team-high 20 points, adding six rebounds and one assist, and DaMariee Jones ended the season with 12 points and five rebounds. All three players earned all-conference honors in the SSAC this season.
On to 2023-24
Although the season did not end the way the team hoped, the Rams have to find in encouragement in the fact the Mobile is returning all but one player on next season's roster, with most key players only being listed as sophomores this year.
The UM Men's Basketball program continues to improve each season under the leadership of head coach Darnell Archey.
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.
