MULTIPLEX AT CRAMTON BOWL | MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The University of Mobile Women's Basketball team advanced to the SSAC Women's Basketball Championship final for the first time in six seasons on Friday afternoon, Mar. 1 in Montgomery, Ala., winning a thriller of a semifinal game against Brewton-Parker College (Ga.), 79-75.
The four-point win improves Mobile's overall record to 26-5 on the season, with first-year head coach and former Ram Sydney Westry leading the charge. Westry was a player on the Mobile roster the last time the Rams went to the conference championship game, eventually winning the program's last conference title in 2016-17.
The Rams now await their opponent in the championship final, with Loyola University (La.) and Faulkner University (Ala.) meeting in the tournament's second semifinal contest later this evening. With a Loyola win tonight, the Rams earn an automatic bid and punch their ticket to the 2023-24 NAIA Women's Basketball Championship Tournament.
Mobile Continues Incredible 2023-24 Season
Mobile and Brewton-Parker opened the first semifinal game of the day in Montgomery with strong offensive performances across the first and second quarters as both teams recorded 15 made shots from the field during the first half. Mobile took a one-point lead to halftime, leading 40-39 over the Barons after leading 20-19 at the end of the first. Mobile's Erica Jones notched a first half double-double, tallying 14 points and 11 rebounds through the first 20 minutes of the game to pace all players.
Coming out of halftime, Brewton-Parker came out hot from the three-point line, making three quick threes to take a six-point lead. However, Mobile managed to respond nicely, tying the game halfway through the third at 50 points apiece.
Referees tightened up foul calls across the third quarter as a total of 13 fouls were called between both sides in the quarter alone, including a technical foul on Mobile Head Coach Sydney Westry. Additionally, Mobile's Miya Kimber committed her fourth foul of the game following a charge and checked out of the ballgame until the fourth.
Following the Mobile technical, Brewton-Parker heated up and managed to extend the lead by a game-high nine points, forcing the Rams to rely on two timeouts in the third quarter. Eventually, the Barons took a 65-56 advantage to the fourth and final quarter of Friday's semifinal game, making five threes in the third quarter alone.
In the fourth quarter, Mobile began a comeback through the first three minutes of the fourth, forcing Brewton-Parker Head Coach Steve Edwards to use a timeout. Mobile closed the gap to just one point, trailing 67-66 with seven minutes remaining prior to the stoppage. After the timeout, Miriam Oldarcre of Mobile buried a deep two-point shot to give the Rams the lead. Throughout the final five minutes of Friday's game, the two teams stayed within three points of one another.
With 2:52 left in regulation, Miya Kimber was called for her fifth foul of the game after a 16-point, 14-rebound double-double performance. Despite losing Kimber for the final three minutes, the Rams kept their poise and finished out the game with a four-point victory. Brewton-Parker had two chances to tie the game with just seconds remaining, but missed both three-pointers. MacKenzie White was later fouled following the late rebound off the second missed three, and made a free throw shot to give Mobile a two-possession lead. From there, the game went final as Mobile celebrated the conference championship berth.
Five players for Mobile finished in double figures, led by Erica Jones with 22 points. Jones finished with 12 rebounds, playing 39 total minutes. Prior to fouling out, Miya Kimber finished second on the team with her 16 points, while leading all players with 14 boards. Alanna Donaldson put together a 13-point game with two rebounds, with Braylee McMath picking up 11 points. In 22 minutes of playing time, Miriam Oldarcre finished with 12 points from off the Mobile bench.
As a team, Mobile finished with a 42% shooting percentage and out-rebounded the Barons, 46-39. Friday's semifinal game saw 10 lead changes and nine ties as the two teams stay relatively close throughout the full 40 minutes. Mobile's highest lead sat at just five points on Friday.
SSAC Championship on the Line on Saturday
The SSAC Women's Basketball Championship game is set for 4:00 p.m. CT on Saturday, Mar. 2, coming at the Multiplex at Cramton Bown in downtown Montgomery, Ala. Tomorrow afternoon's game will be broadcasted live by the Southern States Athletic Conference HERE.
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.
