O. WAYNE ROLLINS CENTER | WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. - The University of Mobile Men's Basketball team came away with a massive win over IU-Northwest on Friday afternoon. In a game that went into 2OT, the Rams kept their composure and came away with the 99-91 win over the RedHawks to continue on into the second round of the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament. After making the tournament for the first time since the 2007-2008 season, the Rams will be hoping to carry this momentum forward with them tomorrow as they compete in the second round.
How it Happened
IU-Northwest took the lead early on and refused to let go of it for the entire first half. Despite early foul troubles and low shooting percentages, Mobile was able to keep it close as they trailed by just two points going into halftime with the score being 31-33 in favor of the RedHawks.
Mobile came out in the second half and tied it up at 33-33 after a BJ Comer jumper in the paint. The RedHawks proceeded to go on a 13-2 run over the next four minutes, putting Mobile in a deficit, that at its largest ended up being 13 points. With twelve minutes left in regulation, Mobile began to chip away at the lead with Treylan Smith and Comer combining for 12 points over the next four minutes to bring Mobile back on level terms at 57-57. The Rams and RedHawks would battle for control of the lead over the final eight minutes with Mobile finding themselves down by 6 with just 15 seconds left to find a way through.
In what may be considered one of the craziest ends to regulation in Mobile Men's Basketball history, Jarvis Moss made made a 3 pointer from the top of the key to bring it back within 3. Mobile would then foul to force free throws at the other end of the court with IU-Northwest missing the basket. PJ King grabbed the rebound passing it off to Moss who, with 2 seconds left, was fouled on a three point shot to send him to the line with a chance to tie it up. Moss Proceeded to hit all three free throws and sent the game into overtime.
In overtime Mobile would hold a narrow lead over their opponents with their largest lead being 3 points off of another Moss three pointer. The RedHawks would tie it up with seven seconds left, forcing the game into a second period of overtime. This time around, Mobile took the lead and controlled it to finish out the game with a final score of 99-91 over IU-Northwest.
What it Means for the Rams
For Mobile Head Coach Darnell Archey, the victory signifies his 99th win in charge of the Rams with the chance for the 100th coming in tomorrow's match. The Rams will face the number 4 seed University of the Cumberlands Patriots who are also the hosts for the opening round event in Williamsburg. The Patriots advanced to the second round after beating Milligan University 85-71 prior to Mobile's match. There is a lot at stake for Archey and his Rams in their next match, with a shot at the 100th win of his tenure at Mobile and a place in the round of sixteen at the final site of the 2025 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament in Kansas City next week both becoming very real possibilities. Mobile will take on the Patriots at 2:00pm CT on Saturday, March 15 in Williamsburg, Kentucky.
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.
