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Sunday, January 29, 2023 – 01:30 PM
NEW ORLEANS, La. – For the first time in nearly a decade, the University of Mobile Men’s Basketball team defeated Loyola University (La.) on the road in New Orleans, La., coming away with a 80-77 victory over the 15th-ranked Wolf Pack on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 28. Saturday’s conference game was tabbed as the SSAC Men’s Basketball Game of the Week.
Mobile’s last win over Loyola on the Wolf Pack’s home floor in New Orleans came on Feb. 7, 2013. Additionally, the win for Mobile on Saturday is just the third win over Loyola in the last nine seasons. Loyola has found a great ordeal of success over the last several seasons as the Wolf Pack entered Saturday ranked No. 15 in the latest NAIA Men’s Basketball Top 25 Coaches’ Poll and as the defending NAIA Men’s Basketball National Champions, claiming the title at the end of the 2021-22 season. Before Saturday’s loss to Mobile, it has been over two years since Loyola has suffered a loss at home, managing a 22-0 record at home in that time span.
The Rams, led by fourth-year head coach Darnell Archey, snapped several notable streaks with Saturday’s victory as Mobile improves to 15-7 overall on the year following the big upset.
Archey Reflects on Massive Win
“Really proud of the team today,” Archey said following what could be considered the biggest win of his tenure so far with Mobile. “We showed great resiliency and toughness in a hostile environment at Loyola.” The Rams hosted Loyola earlier in the season at home and fell to the Wolf Pack, 82-77. However, Saturday’s win snapped a five-game winning streak that Loyola has managed against Mobile.
“Going into the game, we talked about giving multiple efforts on defense, executing our offensive game plan and continuing to strive to be the most discipline team in the SSAC,” Archey stated. On the defensive side, the Mobile defense forced 12 Loyola turnovers, finishing with six steals in the contest. The 12 giveaways by the Wolf Pack eventually led to 17 points for the Rams. On the offensive side, Mobile shot above 50% in both halves, finishing the day with a 55.8% shooting line as a team. Archey concluded, “I would say a majority of the time, we accomplished these keys.”
Mobile came out firing on Saturday as Pooh Frazier knocked down a three-point shot just 20 seconds into the game. Frazier’s three set the tone of the game as Mobile never trailed throughout the entirety of the contest. The Rams’ largest lead of the afternoon sat at 12 points, coming in the first half. Mobile took a 42-33 lead to halftime. In the second half, Loyola managed to make the game a one possession ball game as the Wolf Pack shot 58% in the final 20 minutes. However, timely shots and free throws by Mobile kept the Rams out front, which eventually led to Mobile handing No. 15 Loyola just the fourth loss of the season.
Ezra McKenna led all scorers on Saturday, finishing with 21 points. McKenna added 13 rebounds, giving the sophomore his 15th double-double of the season. In addition, he finished with four assists and team-high three steals. DaMariee Jones followed McKenna with 20 points in the win, while leading the Rams with seven assists. Both Jones and McKenna made eight of 12 shots each from the field and combined for the only two blocks Mobile recorded.
Pooh Frazier made three of four three-pointers in the victory, totaling 17 points. Frazier finished with six assists and two steals, while Mobile as a team finished 9-for-16 from beyond the arch. Sage McKenna and Mason Brundidge finished with 10 points each, combining for seven assists and five boards. Archey relied heavily on his starting five as each player tallied over 34 minutes of playing time. The Mobile bench came away with only two points on Saturday.
What’s Next?
Momentum seems to be on the Mobile side following the biggest win of the season on Saturday as the Rams are set to return home next Tuesday, Jan. 31. Mobile will host Stillman College next Tuesday, with first tip being scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT.
Mobile and Stillman College, along with Dalton State College, all sit tied for third-place in the current SSAC Men’s Basketball standings with a 9-5 SSAC record.
Loyola University
University of Mobile
Men’s Basketball
Southern States Athletic Conference
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