MULTIPLEX AT CRAMTON BOWL | MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The University of Mobile Women's Basketball team fell in the 2023-24 SSAC Women's Basketball Championship final on Saturday evening, Mar. 2, dropping the close title game to Loyola University (La.), 71-63. Saturday's thriller between the Rams and Wolf Pack in downtown Montgomery saw 11 lead changes and 11 ties throughout the full 40 minutes, with Loyola managing a comeback in the fourth quarter for the program's seventh conference title since 2015.
For Mobile, the loss drops the overall record to 26-6 on the season, with the Rams earning an automatic bid to the NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship Tournament following the runner-up performance, becoming the SSAC's second and final auto bid following Loyola. The national tournament is scheduled to begin on Mar. 15-16 with first and second round action at various opening round sites, with the official 64-team tournament field being announced by the NAIA on Thursday, Mar. 7 at 7:00 p.m. CT.
How It Happened
Mobile opened the conference championship with 18 points in the first quarter following a 7-for-19 shooting line, while holding the Wolf Pack of Loyola to just 14 points in the first. Both teams remained close across the second quarter, with the Rams outscoring Loyola, 13-12. Mobile took a 31-26 lead to halftime with a sub-40% shooting percentage. Foul trouble haunted Mobile across Saturday's game, with two players recording three fouls in the first half alone. Throughout the game, the Rams were called for 24 team fouls, seeing Alanna Donaldson and Miriam Oldarcre eventually foul out in the second half.
During the final two quarters, Mobile stayed out front, with Loyola trailing not far behind. The Rams shot 50% with eight made shots from the field in the third quarter alone, adding a game-high 19 points through the 10-minute period. For Loyola, the Wolf Pack made the game interesting with a 24-point third quarter, tying the game at 50 points apiece entering the final 10 minutes of regulation.
Both teams then traded the lead several times in the final quarter, with the Rams grabbing their final lead of the game with just 1:59 left. From there, Loyola put together a 9-0 run throughout the remainder of the contest, eventually winning the conference championship by eight points.
Saturday's game will ultimately feel like a game that got away from Mobile as the team led the Wolf Pack for over 25 minutes. Meanwhile, Loyola only led for five minutes in the game, shooting 45% from the floor overall as a unit. In the fourth quarter alone, the Wolf Pack made six shots from the floor, adding eight made free throws on 11 attempts.
Mobile finished with a 38% shooting percentage, led by Miya Kimber with 17 points. Erica Jones followed with a double-double, recording 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Alanna Donaldson notched 12 points before fouling out of the game. Both teams tallied 25 rebounds each and turned the ball over 13 times.
2023-24 Season Rolls to the National Tournament
For the first time since the 2016-17 campaign, where current Mobile Head Coach Sydney Westry was last a player for UM, the Rams are headed to the NAIA National Tournament, awaiting Thursday's announcement for location and opponent in the first round.
Mobile will enter the national tourney averaging over 72 points per game, shooting 41% overall through 32 games played. Additionally, the Rams are a 70% free throw shooting team and average over 16 assists per contest.
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.
