VSN (Administrator) Sunday, January 29, 2023 – 1:30 PM Published
New Orleans, Louisiana – For the first time in nearly a decade, the University of Mobile men’s basketball team defeated Loyola University (LA) on the streets of New Orleans, Louisiana, beating the No. 15 Wolf Pack 80-77 on Saturday. January 28th afternoon. Saturday’s conference game was named the SSAC Men’s Basketball Game of the Week.
Mobile’s last win over Loyola was on February 7, 2013 on the home floor of the Wolf Pack in New Orleans. Loyola said Wolfe’s pack was the latest in his NAIA Men’s Basketball Top 25 Coaches’ Poll on Saturday, where he ranked 15th and was ranked as the defending champion of the NAIA Men’s Basketball National Champions, finally winning the title. It has found great trials of success over the past few seasons. It had been more than two years since Loyola lost at home before losing to Mobile on Saturday of the 2021-22 season, during which he managed a 22-0 record at home.
Rams led by fourth-year head coach Darnell Archiesnapping some notable streak with Saturday’s win, Mobile improved to 15-7 overall in the year following a major upset.
Archey looks back on big win
“I am really proud of the team today.” Archey said of what he considers to be the biggest win of his tenure at Mobile so far: “In Loyola’s hostile environment, we showed great resilience and toughness.” The Rams hosted Loyola at home early in the season, losing 82-77 to the Wolf Pack. But Saturday’s win ended his five-game winning streak that Loyola had managed against Mobile.
“Going into the game, he talked about putting multiple efforts on defense, executing an offensive game plan, and continuing to strive to be the most disciplined team in SSAC.” Archie said. On the defensive side, the mobile defense forced his 12 Loyola turnovers and he recorded 6 steals in the contest. 12 presents by the Wolfpack ultimately led to 17 points for the Rams.On the offensive side, Mobile has shot over 50% in both halves and as a team he shot 55.8% off his line. He ended the day with Archey concluded: “Most of the time I have achieved these keys.”
mobile fired on saturday Pooh Fraser He scored a three-point shot just 20 seconds into the game. His trio for Frazier set the tone for the match. Mobile remained undefeated throughout the entire contest. The Rams’ biggest lead of the afternoon was 12 points and came in the first half. Mobile took his 42-33 lead going into halftime. In the second half, Loyola allowed Wolff to make his puck one possession ball in his game as he shot 58% in his last 20 minutes. However, timely shots and free throws by Mobile kept the Rams up front and eventually Mobile handed No. 15 Loyola their fourth loss of the season.
Ezra McKenna They led all scorers on Saturday and finished with 21 points. McKenna added 13 rebounds and had his 15th double-double of the season in his sophomore year. He also had four assists and a team-high three steals. Damarie Jones He followed McKenna with 20 points in the win and led the Rams with seven assists. Both Jones and McKenna made 8 of 12 shots each from the field, combining only his two blocks that Mobile scored.
Pooh Fraser He made 3 of his 4 3-pointers in the win for a total of 17 points. Frazier he finished with 6 assists and 2 steals and Mobile as a team from beyond the arch he finished 9-16. Sage McKenna When Mason Blandigi They finished with 10 points each, combined with 7 assists and 5 boards. Archey relied heavily on his starting fives as each player tallied his 34 minutes of playing time. The mobile bench managed to score just two points on Saturday.
what’s next?
The momentum seems to be on the mobile side following Saturday’s biggest win of the season, as the Rams are set to head home next Tuesday, January 31. Mobile will host Stillman College next Tuesday, with the first hint scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT.
Mobile College and Stillman College, along with Dalton State University, are tied for third in the current SSAC men’s basketball standings with an SSAC record of 9-5.
Loyola University University of Mobile Men’s Basketball Southern States Athletic Conference Results