H. AUSTILL PHARR GYMNASIUM | MOBILE, Ala. - The University of Mobile Men's Basketball team wrapped up the non-conference portion of the 2023-24 schedule on Friday night, Jan. 12, hosting Southeastern Baptist College (Miss.) in the process. Southeastern Baptist, a member of the NCCAA Division, is winless in nine tries against Mobile over the last five seasons entering Friday's game, including losing by 30 points earlier this year in Laurel, Miss. Mobile continued the winning trend against the Chargers on Friday, winning 94-46 to improve to 14-3 overall this season.
Recap
The Rams dominated Friday's game from start to finish against Southeastern Baptist, producing a 16-0 run early in the first half after Southeastern Baptist managed a small 5-3 lead to open the game. The Chargers were held to just single digits in the scoring category for the majority of the first half, finally scoring their 10th point with 7:40 left in the first half. Meanwhile, Mobile had managed 29 points through the first 13 minutes of the game, eventually going into halftime with a whopping 52-18 lead over the opposition.
In the first half, Mobile shot north of 55% from the floor, making 21 total shots. Four players recorded double-digit point totals through the first 20 minutes, led by Treylan Smith with 14 first-half points. Brothers Sage McKenna and Ezra McKenna both were closing in on double-doubles in the first half, with Sage tallying 10 points and nine rebounds and Ezra finishing the first with 12 points and eight boards. Trent Moye joined Sage McKenna with 10 points, knocking down two made three-pointers.
For Southeastern Baptist, the Chargers only made seven shots in the first half, shooting 22%. Turnovers haunted the visiting team as Southeastern Baptist committed 17 turnovers through the first 20 minutes, with Mobile coming away with 13 first-half steals.
In the second half, the dominance continued on Mobile's side as the Rams extended their lead by as much as 51 points in the game. Mobile Head Coach Darnell Archey emptied his bench halfway through the second half, with the Rams scoring a total of 30 points off the bench in Friday's game. Southeastern Baptist did manage to score 28 points in the second half, but Mobile's added 42 points following the 52-point first half cruised the Rams to the 48-point victory.
Inside the Box Score
In total, Mobile finished Friday's performance with a 56% shooting line, making 37 shots from the field. Additionally, Mobile added nine made threes and finished 11-for-18 from the free throw line. A total of 11 Rams scored at least two points in Friday's victory, with Treylan Smith leading the team with a career-high 23 points in the win. Additionally, Smith led the Rams with three blocks and came away with two steals against the Chargers. He made five three-point shots in the 23-point effort, making nine shots total from the field.
The McKenna brothers followed Smith's offensive production with both Sage and Ezra notching doubles-doubles. In just his second start this season, Sage McKenna recorded a season-high 12 points and led the team with 12 rebounds. For Ezra McKenna, the reigning NAIA Men's Basketball Player of the Week finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds, earning his 13th double-double this season. Friday's double-double performance by the McKennas is just the second time the two have recorded double-doubles in the same game dating back to Feb. 1 of last season.
With a sizable lead, several reserves received playing time for Mobile, highlighted by Max Keebaugh who tallied 10 points in nine minutes of work. The junior made four shots from the floor and added two made free throw attempts. He was followed by Liam Patterson who scored six points in nine minutes. Patterson added a pair of assists.
On the defensive side, the Rams came away with 15 steals as a team, led by PJ King with four. Sage McKenna and Joshua Williams both picked up three steals a piece. Overall, Mobile finished with 40 points off turnovers following 25 Southeastern Baptist giveaways. The Rams out-rebounded the Chargers, 44-27.
Rams Look For Revenge
Following the final non-conference game of the season, Mobile is set to meet conference rival William Carey University (Miss.) for the second time this season next on the schedule. The Crusaders upset Mobile in overtime back in November of this season as Mobile will look for payback next Tuesday, Jan. 16.
Next Tuesday's game between the two conference rivals is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT in Hattiesburg, Miss.
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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.
