Jan. 31, 2005

Mobile Rams batter Badgers

By TOMMY HICKS
Sports Reporter - Mobile Register

The University of Mobile watched its P's and Q's Monday night -- pressure, pace and quantity -- in pushing aside cross-town rival Spring Hill College for a 91-66 victory at Pharr Gymnasium.

The Rams’ pressure defense caused trouble for Spring Hill, as did the pace of the game, especially in the second half.

Mobile also took advantage of its deep bench and veteran lineup to gain another advantage over the Badgers, who did not have a senior on their roster and used just eight players compared to 13 Rams who received playing time.

Mobile grabbed a 43-30 halftime advantage and with a quick second-half start -- even though the Rams had trouble making baskets in the early going -- put the game away.

Near the nine-minute mark of the second half, the Rams' pressure led to some easy baskets and forced Spring Hill turnovers that led to a 12-point run that settled the matter for good.

" (In the first half) we couldn't get our running game going, but we came out in the second half and did a better job," Mobile coach Joe Niland said.

That was a factor Spring Hill couldn't overcome.

" We came out with more intensity in the second half," Niland said. "We knew Spring Hill was a young team, but we also knew this was going to be a tough game. We are a veteran team going against a young team. Plus, for some, this was their first Mobile-Spring Hill game."

Mobile improved its overall record to 20-3 and its Gulf Coast Athletic Conference mark to 9-0. The victory is the fourth in a row over Spring Hill, dating back to last season, and gives the Rams a 14-0 record on their home court this season.

Tramaine Perry led the way for the Rams with 23 points. Gabe Feagin added 18 points and eight assists, while Gimel Lewis had 15 points and 10 rebounds and Randy Jordan scored nine points. The Mobile defense paid off, forcing Spring Hill to commit 29 turnovers.

Spring Hill was led by guard Krisner Green, who scored a game-high 30 points and also grabbed eight rebounds. Green was 10-of-18 from the floor and 8-of-10 from the free throw line. Cash Covington had 10 points and Chris Baldwin scored nine.

The Badgers fell to 6-16 overall and 1-8 in the GCAC. They are 0-10 in games played away from the Outlaw Recreation Center.

" The key to us having any kind of chance was to slow the ball down and keep our turnovers down," Spring Hill coach Robert Thompson said. "We weren't able to do that.

" We're not deep at all. We have four players out and three of those were starters, but the kids have hung in there and I'm proud of the way they have played."

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