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Jan. 6, 2004 Mobile rolls over Dillard With 87-63 Win By TOMMY HICKS Defense set the tone and experience paved the way as the University of
Mobile began Gulf Coast Athletic Conference play with a convincing 87-63
win over Dillard Thursday night at Pharr Gymnasium. The No. 18-ranked Rams used full-court pressure defense at the start
of the game, which forced Dillard into several turnovers, and led to
an 8-0 start for the Rams. But it was the overall depth and strength
of Mobile's roster that made the biggest difference. "
That's what we try to do -- run a chaotic defense," coach Joe Niland
said of the effectiveness of the Rams' pressure. "Sometimes it's
just chaos, but we try to take teams out of their rhythm. I think we
were able to get them out of their game early. But give them credit:
They kept coming back the whole game." Dillard was in comeback mode the entire game. Mobile (12-3) parlayed
the 8-0 start into a 36-19 advantage at the 4:45 mark. At halftime, the
Rams led 48-28. Although Dillard made some small runs throughout the
second half, Mobile held its ground and its lead. "
We just got a little careless at times," Niland said of his team,
which forced Dillard into 25 turnovers, but committed 24 turnovers of
its own. "We've got to do a better job of protecting the basketball. Chris Bolden was Mobile's top scorer, producing 20 points. Larry Burgess
came off the bench to add 18 points, with Tramaine Perry scoring 12 and
grabbing six rebounds. Gimel Lewis had 11 points and nine rebounds and
Gabe Feagin had eight points and an equal number of rebounds. The Rams
outrebounded Dillard 44-31, but at the free throw line they struggled,
making just 16-of-28 tries. Dillard (4-4) was led by Cal vin Spellman's 13 points, with Dwayne Bastian
scoring 12. -30- |
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