NEW ORLEANS, La. - On Tuesday, Nov. 26, the University of Mobile Men's Basketball team returned to the court for the first time since the tragic and unexpected passing of team member Kaiden Francis on Nov. 19, facing the Dillard Bleu Devils (La.) for a non-conference game in New Orleans, La after a pair of understandable postponements last week.
Mobile eventually fell to Dillard 82-65 on Tuesday, suffering the first loss of the season and seeing the overall record fall to 6-1 this year. The loss comes just days ahead of the Rams partaking in the annual NAIA Classic in Kingsport, Tenn.
Game Notes
Mobile trailed 34-27 at halftime against Dillard, shooting just 35% from the floor and finishing 0-for-6 from the three-point line through the first 20 minutes. The Rams improved their shooting in the second half, but the Bleu Devils proved to be too much on their home floor and eventually outscored Mobile 48-38 in the second half to claim the 17-point victory. Dillard led Tuesday's game in its entirety.
Mobile ended the day with a 39.7% shooting mark as a unit, making only three of 16 three-point attempts and finishing 8-for-16 from the free throw line. Individually, Ezra McKenna shined with a 22-point, 23-rebound outing, notching his seventh double-double of the season. Trent Moye followed by contributing 16 points and four assists, while BJ Comer tallied 10 points in 18 minutes of playing time from off the bench. No other player for Mobile scored more than five points in the defeat.
For Dillard, the Bleu Devils shot 50% from the field, adding nine threes and seven made free throws. In the rebound battle, Mobile dominated with a 39-24 differential, but could not capitalize. Additionally, the Bleu Devils forced 14 turnovers, collecting 11 steals, and managed 21 points off Mobile giveaways.
NAIA Classic - The Show
Mobile will look to flush the first loss of the season and return to work in Kingsport, Tenn. on Thanksgiving weekend for a pair of non-conference games in the annual NAIA Classic. The Rams are scheduled to face Bluefield University (Va.) on Friday, Nov. 29, and will follow that with a meeting against Columbia International (S.C.) on Saturday, Nov. 30 to wrap up tournament play.
FOLLOW THE RAMS
For complete coverage of the University of Mobile Athletics, follow the Rams on social media at /MobileRams (Facebook), @UMobileRams ("X" FKA Twitter), and @umobilerams (Instagram), or visit the official home of the University of Mobile Athletic Department at https://umobilerams.com/.
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.
