HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The University of Mobile Men's Basketball team, ranked No. 11 in the latest NAIA Men's Basketball Top 25 Coaches' Poll, returned to action on Wednesday night, Jan. 17 in Hattiesburg, Miss., facing rival William Carey University (Miss.) and eventually falling to the Crusaders, 74-70. Wednesday's game was originally scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 16, but a Winter Weather Advisory for the southeastern part of the United States forced the game to be pushed back 24 hours.
The loss for Mobile is just the fourth defeat during the 2023-24 campaign, with William Carey being responsible for two of those losses. William Carey managed an overtime victory over Mobile in November of this season. On Wednesday, the Crusaders led for the entire game to drop Mobile's overall record on the season to 14-4, snapping a five-game win streak in the process. Additionally, Mobile's SSAC record falls to 7-3 following Wednesday's result.
The Basics
Mobile struggled to shoot consistently from the floor in Hattiesburg, finishing the loss with a 41% shooting percentage. In the first half alone, the Rams made just eight of 25 total shots for a 32% shooting line. Mobile did manage to make 19 of 22 free throws in the game, but finished 5-for-17 from deep for three. Meanwhile, William Carey finished Wednesday shooting 38%, adding 10 made threes.
Mobile saw a pair of double-doubles in the defeat, with DaMariee Jones leading the team with 21 points and 11 rebounds in his return to the court. Jones missed the last two games due to a minor injury. He made seven shots from the field and seven free throws for his fifth double-double this year. Ezra McKenna collected his 14th double-double this season, tallying 12 points and 10 boards. McKenna was defended well through the first half as the junior only managed two points through the first 20 minutes.
Trent Moye led the Rams with three made three-pointers, finishing with 13 points total. Sage McKenna followed with 10 points off the bench, playing 20 minutes and making five free throws. Overall, Mobile finished with 35 rebounds compared to William Carey's 45 boards, and turned the ball over nine times. For William Carey, the Crusaders managed 20 points in the paint and 19 second chance points against Mobile.
Back Home for a Rebound
Mobile will look to shake off the tough loss on Wednesday before the next game on the schedule, coming on Saturday, Jan. 20 against Point University (Ga.). Saturday's game will be played in Pharr Gymnasium and is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m. CT.
The Rams defeated Point 75-59 back on Dec. 2 of this season in West Point, Ga.
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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.
