Feb. 5, 2005

Rams hold on to defeat Lady Crusaders

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Just two days after falling to Dillard University in overtime, the University of Mobile (18-5, 9-2) Rams were again pushed to the limit but this time held on for a 85-79 road victory against William Carey College Saturday night in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference action.

Trailing by as many as 18 points in the second half, the Lady Crusaders (7-14, 3-8) rallied all the way back and took a 75-74 lead with 3:28 remaining in the game on a Katunia Levy basket.

However, Mobile would respond with a Crystal Coston layup just seconds later to regain the lead at 76-75 and failed to surrender the lead the rest of the game.

Coston scored a team-high 21 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, made three assists and did not turn the ball over in 33 minutes of action.

Taking a 39-32 lead into the locker room at halftime, the Rams came out in the second half and quickly pushed the lead to 17 points by using a 10-0 run that was capped by an Erica Martens three pointer to put Mobile ahead 54-37. Mobile would then push the lead to 58-40, their largest lead of the game, with 14 minutes to play.

Playing without their veteran point guard, the Rams turned the ball over 31 times nearly blowing the 18 point advantage.

Leading 12-10 just five minutes into the first half, Mobile senior point guard Jessica Barber connected on a three-point shot giving the Rams a 15-10 lead. However, Barber would come down and land awkwardly on her knee forcing her to miss the remainder of the contest.

Amanda McGill led the Lady Crusaders in the game by scoring 32 points and pulling away six steals.

Mobile’s Kinga Rybarczyk scored 16 points and grabbed 15 rebounds while freshman Laura Davis added 13 points.

Mobile will next be in action at home on Thursday, Feb. 10 when the Rams hosts Loyola University at Pharr Gymnasium. The Rams defeated Loyola 84-75 the first time these two teams met back on Jan. 10 in New Orleans. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.

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