H. AUSTILL PHARR GYMNASIUM | MOBILE, Ala. - In the final regular season game of the 2023-24 season and the final game played in Pharr Gymnasium for the year, the University of Mobile Women's Basketball team put together a massive comeback against Stillman College (Ala.) on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 24, defeating the Tigers, 55-52. The win for Mobile improves the regular season record to 24-5 on the year under first-year head coach Sydney Westry, while the SSAC record advances to 16-4.
With the 16-4 conference record, Mobile has earned the No. 3 seed in the upcoming SSAC Women's Basketball Championship Tournament, set to begin next Wednesday, Feb. 28 in downtown Montgomery, Ala.
Rams Never Quit
Saturday's game quickly became one of Mobile's toughest games of the season, with the Rams shooting below 30% from the field for the entire game and committing 12 turnovers in the first half alone. Mobile made just six shots from the floor through the first half, trailing Stillman 30-21 at halftime. The Tigers managed 12 made shots through the first two quarters, relying on four made three-pointers for the nine-point advantage at the break.
For Mobile, the offensive struggles continued throughout the third quarter as the Rams were only able to tally four made shots from the field. Meanwhile, Stillman added 12 points in the third quarter and took a 42-31 lead to the fourth and final quarter of the game.
In the fourth quarter, the tide began to shift as Mobile came up with some clutch shots halfway through the final 10 minutes of regulation. With seven minutes remaining in the game, Mobile started a 20-4 run over Stillman as the crowd continued to grow increasingly loud. The Rams felt the momentum on their side and eventually ended the game with a 15-0 run over the Tigers through the final five minutes of the fourth. Mobile went on to outscore Stillman 24-10 in the fourth quarter and earned the 55-52 victory. Mobile's first lead in Saturday's game came with one minute left in the fourth quarter.
On Senior Day, senior Miya Kimber led the offensive charge with a double-double, recording 14 points and 12 rebounds. She was followed by fellow senior Erica Jones and junior MacKenzie White with 12 points each, with White adding 12 rebounds for a double-double of her own. The Rams finished the win with a 29% shooting percentage, while out-rebounding Stillman, 34-23. Both Kimber and Jones, along with manager Malaijia White, were celebrated following the game with family for Senior Day.
SSAC Women's Basketball Championship Tournament
The four-day, single-elimination conference tournament begins next Wednesday, Feb. 28 and will conclude with the title game Saturday at 4:00 p.m. CT. Mobile is scheduled to open the tournament on Thursday, Feb. 29 at 9:00 a.m. CT with a game against Point University (Ga.).
All games are being played at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl in downtown Montgomery, Ala.. Tickets are being sold online only and can be purchased at ssacsports.com/tickets.
Women's Basketball Seeding
1. Loyola (La.) – 15-3
2. William Carey (Miss.) – 15-3
3. Mobile – 16-4
4. Faulkner (Ala.) – 12-6
5. Life (Ga.) – 11-7
6. Point – 9-9
7. Brewton-Parker (Ga.) – 9-9
8. Stillman – 9-9
9. Blue Mountain (Miss.) – 5-13
10. UT Southern (Tenn.) – 4-14
FOLLOW THE RAMS
For complete coverage of 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.
