H. AUSTILL PHARR GYMNASIUM | MOBILE, Ala. - The University of Mobile's Men's Basketball team tipped off the 2024-25 season with a shootout victory over Huntingdon College (Ala.) on Saturday evening, Nov. 2, finishing with a 98-92 win in Pharr Gymnasium. The close contest saw the Rams showcase a solid offensive performance, with the team shooting 50% from the field and hitting crucial free throws down the stretch to seal the first win of the season. For Huntingdon, Saturday's game was an exhibition game for the NCAA D-III member and did not count on the Hawks' overall record.
Mobile begins this year under sixth-year head coach Darnell Archey as the team is currently receiving votes for entry in the NAIA Men's Basketball Top 25 Coaches' Poll.
Mobile Battles to High-Scoring Win
The season opener was tightly contested throughout the full 40 minutes, with Mobile narrowly leading 46-42 at halftime. Huntingdon led for just over 10 minutes in the first. In the second half, the Rams extended their advantage with contributions from multiple players, never trailing during the back 20.
The inside game proved pivotal as Mobile outscored Huntingdon 46-38 in the paint and capitalized on free throws, shooting an impressive 85.7% from the line. Defensively, the Rams came away with eight steals and four blocks, disrupting Huntingdon's offense in crucial moments. Additionally, Mobile collected 39 rebounds in the victory, while the Hawks only recording 33. Despite a late push by Huntingdon, led by Jaylen Washington's 23 points, Mobile held on to finish strong and win Saturday's game by eight points.
Ezra McKenna, reigning SSAC Men's Basketball Player of the Year and Alabama Small College Athlete of the Year, shined in the season opener, beginning his senior year campaign with an impressive 30 points and 11 rebounds. McKenna's dominant performance included shooting 12-for-16 from the field and a crucial 5-for-7 from the free-throw line. Trent Moye was also instrumental in securing the win, adding 21 points, including a 10-for-12 showing from the free-throw line. Moye tallied 14 points in the second half alone.
The eight-point win marks a promising start for the Rams, who aim to build on this momentum as they continue the season next weekend in Lakeland, Fla.
Tough Test Ahead
The Rams are set to compete at the Southeastern University (Fla.) Shootout next weekend for the next games on the schedule, competing in two games across two days against SUN Conference opponents in central Florida. Mobile begins action on Friday, Nov. 8 at 6:00 p.m. CT facing off with the Fire of Southeastern, while ending the weekend with a 4:00 p.m. CT game against Ave Maria University (Fla.) on Nov. 9. The Gyrenes of Ave Maria ranks No. 17 in the NAIA Men's Basketball Top 25 Coaches' Poll.
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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.
