H. AUSTILL PHARR GYMNASIUM | MOBILE, Ala. - The University of Mobile Women's Basketball team improved to 15-2 on the 2023-24 season on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 6, knocking off Brewton-Parker College (Ga.) 65-54 in the process. Mobile's win over the Barons, who entered Saturday receiving votes for the NAIA Women's Basketball Top 25, gives the Rams sole possession of second place in the current SSAC Women's Basketball standings, advancing the conference record to 7-1 this season.
Additionally, Mobile extended the current winning streak to seven games on Saturday dating back to Dec. 9 following the 11-point victory.
Game Recap
Saturday's game became a game of runs between Mobile and Brewton-Parker, particularly in the first half. With the game tied 8-8 in the first quarter, Mobile used the final two minutes of the quarter to build an 8-2 run over the Barons, with Brewton-Parker relying on a buzzer-beating jump shot to end the 8-0 run that the Rams put together. It was much of the same in the second quarter as Brewton-Parker went on a 7-2 run through the first five minutes of the second to reclaim the lead. However, Mobile responded well and used the final minutes of the second quarter to work a 10-0 run to close out the first half. The Rams went to the break with a 29-19 lead, shooting at the mid-40% mark as a team.
In the second half, Mobile continued the 10-0 run built in the second quarter, scoring the first four points of the second half. Mobile's lead eventually extended to 36-21 over the Barons, with pressure beginning to build on the visitor bench. Brewton-Parker head coach Steve Edwards was forced to use three timeouts in the second half in an attempt to get his team back in the game. For a moment, Brewton-Parker did cut Mobile's lead to single digits, but the big run across the second and third quarters for Mobile proved to be too much in the end. The Rams went on the win by 11 points after both teams scored 17 points a piece in the final quarter.
The Barons struggled from deep in Saturday's loss to the Rams, making only four of 22 three-point shots across the full 40 minutes. For Mobile, the Rams made two of eight three-point attempts, while making 22 shots total from the floor. Mobile ended Saturday with a 40% shooting line, while the Barons only shot 32%.
Box Score Notables
On her birthday, Erica Jones led all players with 19 points and a career-high 17 rebounds in the win, securing her sixth double-double on the year. Seven of Jones' 17 boards came on the offensive side, with Mobile totaling 18 offensive rebounds as a team. The offensive rebounds led to 17 second chance points for the Rams. Jones finished Saturday playing the full 40 minutes, making seven shots from the floor and finishing 4-for-5 at the free throw line.
MacKenzie White joined Jones in recording a double-double, her first this season. White tallied 11 points and managed to grab her 10th rebound with under 30 seconds left on the clock. She added three assists, one block, and one steal. Courtney Bradford joined White in scoring 11 points, doing so in 15 minutes of work from off the bench.
Overall, Mobile out-rebounded the Barons 57-35, while making seven of 10 free throw attempts. With Brewton-Parker currently receiving votes for the NAIA Top 25, a case can be made for the 15-2 Rams that Mobile should be receiving votes for entry in the national poll after never trailing in the second half against the Barons.
Onward to Marietta
Mobile's next game on the schedule comes on Wednesday, Jan. 10 in Marietta, Ga. where Mobile is scheduled to face Life University (Ga.) in a big conference matchup. Life sits just one game behind Mobile in the conference standings, looking for a win to tie the Rams for second overall. Next Wednesday's game is set for 4:30 p.m. CT and is the first of two regular season meetings between the two teams.
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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.
