H. AUSTILL PHARR GYMNASIUM | MOBILE, Ala. - The University of Mobile Men's Basketball team suffered a stunning 66-62 upset loss to Thomas University (Ga.) on Tuesday night, Feb. 4, losing the first game in Pharr Gymnasium this season. The loss snaps a seven-game win streak that Mobile has built since Jan. 9, including a win over No. 11 Dalton State College (Ga.) just three days ago. Meanwhile, Thomas moves above .500 on the season at 12-11 following the big win over the Rams, while Mobile's overall record falls to 16-5 and 9-3 in the SSAC. The Rams still sit atop the current SSAC Men's Basketball West standings.
First-Half Struggles Set Tone of Game; Second-Half Comeback Falls Short
Despite a strong second-half surge, the Rams could not overcome a disastrous first half that saw them trailing by 20 points at the break. Thomas' hot shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, proved to be the difference as they connected on nine three-pointers in the first half, eventually finishing with 12 threes across the game at a blistering 50% rate.
Mobile struggled mightily in the first half, scoring just 21 points while allowing Thomas to put up 41. The visitors controlled the game early, with Andre Lightbourne leading the charge on several made threes. Lightbourne finished with 20 points, including six three-pointers overall, as Thomas built a commanding 20-point lead late in the first.
The Rams fought back in the second half, however, outscoring Thomas, 41-25. At one point late in the second, Mobile cut the Thomas lead down to just two points, but late free throws made by the Night Hawks eventually put the game away as Thomas secured the four-point victory. BJ Comer led the way for Mobile with a game-high 21 points, while Ezra McKenna dominated the boards with 17 rebounds. For McKenna, the 17-rebound performance put him over 1,000 career rebounds during his collegiate career at Mobile as the senior forward continues to extend the all-time rebound record at Mobile.
Mobile's shooting woes—particularly the 40% mark from the free-throw line—proved costly down the stretch. The Rams shot under 40% both from the floor and from three-point range, while making just 8-of-20 free throws.
Next Up
Mobile is back in action on Thusday night, Feb. 6 in Pharr Gymnasium, hosting UT-Southern (Tenn.) at 7:30 p.m. CT.
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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.
