MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The strong 2023-24 season for the University of Mobile Men's Basketball team continued on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 27 as Mobile knocked off Faulkner University (Ala.) 77-66 to sweep the Eagles during the regular season for the first time since the 2009-2010 season. Prior to Mobile's two victories over Faulkner this year, the Eagles have managed wins in eight of the last nine games played from 2017 to early 2023. However, Mobile halted a six-game win streak put together by Faulkner in November of this season with a double-overtime win at home, while adding another victory on Saturday over the Eagles in Montgomery, Ala.
The win for Mobile improves the overall record to 16-5 this season and 9-4 in conference action. The Rams sit third in the current SSAC Men's Basketball standings, trailing first-place team UT-Southern (Tenn.) by four games and second-place Stillman College (Ala.) by 0.5 games.
Mobile Breaks Out the Brooms
The Rams put together a strong first half of basketball against Faulkner on Saturday afternoon, shooting above 58% from the floor and totaling 46 points through the first 20 minutes. Meanwhile, Faulkner was held to just 29 points in the first half, with the team shooting less than 44%. Additionally, Mobile made six three-point shots in the first, with both Joshua Williams and Trent Moye recording three each. Williams ended the half with 11 points, while Ezra McKenna tallied 12 points to lead all players.
In the second half, the Rams proved to be too much for Faulkner as Mobile added 31 points in the final 20 minutes. Faulkner did manage to shoot the ball better, and even scored more points than Mobile with 37 second-half points, but saw the first half deficit eventually cost the Eagles the game. The Rams made 11 shots from the floor in the final half, while adding seven made free throws on nine attempts. DaMariee Jones led Mobile with nine points in the final 20 minutes.
Injuries have hurt Faulkner this season as only five active Eagles hit the court against Mobile. Meanwhile, Mobile Head Coach Darnell Archey played nine players in Saturday's contest, with seven scoring.
Box Score Highlights
Ezra McKenna collected his 16th double-double of the year on Saturday, leading all players with 19 points and 11 rebounds. McKenna, who has earned seven SSAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week Awards this year, made eight of 13 shots against the Eagles and continues to average a double-double on the year with 18.9 points and 12.0 rebounds per game.
DaMariee Jones finished behind McKenna with 17 points, adding five rebounds and three assists, and Trent Moye tallied 15 points in the victory. Joshua Williams ended his afternoon with 13 points, leading the Rams with six assists in the win. Overall, Mobile's starting five was responsible for 73 of the 77 points scored, with the team overall finishing with a 52% shooting line. Mobile out-rebounded Faulkner 36-27, scoring eight second chance points and 38 total points in the paint.
Rams Look for Revenge Next
Mobile is slated to host Blue Mountain Christian (Miss.) for the next game on the schedule, coming on Thursday night, Feb. 1 in Pharr Gymnasium. Thursday's game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. CT and is the second and final meeting during the regular season between the two programs.
Mobile fell to Blue Mountain 59-54 on the road back in December of this season.
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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.
