Feb. 19, 2005

Rams hold off Xavier University, 86-82

MOBILE, Ala. -- No. 6 University of Mobile (26-4, 15-1) started a new winning streak at home this season by defeating conference rival Xavier University 86-82 Saturday night at home in Pharr Gymnasium. The Rams, who had a 23 game home winning-streak snapped last Saturday to LSU-Shreveport, got 21 points and 14 rebounds from Gimel Lewis as they got back on their winning ways at home.

Trailing 77-76 with 2:50 remaining, the Rams got back-to-back field goals from Randy Jordan to put the Rams ahead 80-77 with just 1:26 left. After Tramaine Perry, Mobile’s all-time leading scorer, connected on the front end of his double bonus free throw attempt to extend the lead to 81-77, Xavier knocked down a pair of their own free throws to pull within two points with just 1:09 to go.

However, that was as close as the Gold Rush would come, as the Rams would knock down 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch to inch out the victory.

Mobile got double digit points from five players including 18 points from senior Tramaine Perry who became the Rams all-time leading scorer last Thursday against Tougaloo College. Randy Jordan pitched in with 10 points while Gabe Feagin added 10 points of his own to go along with a game-high nine assists. Ravi Amunagama also contributed 10 points on 3-of-4 shooting coming off the bench.

The Mobile win, coupled with a LSU-Shreveport 73-72 loss to Loyola University, puts Mobile in sole possession of first place in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. With a win on Thursday night in Mobile’s final home game along with a win at cross-town rival Spring Hill College, the Rams will win the conference title outright and earn an automatic berth to the NAIA National Tournament.

Xavier got 18 points from Jason Leonard on 8-of-11 shooting from the floor.

The Rams will next be in action on Thursday, Feb. 24 against Southern University-New Orleans in the team’s final home game of the season. Xavier (21-8, 11-5), which had won eight games in a row dating back to a 98-89 loss to Mobile on Jan. 20, will next be in action Wednesday, Feb. 23 at home against Loyola University.

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