Feb. 19, 2005

Rams Upset 11th-ranked Xavier University 85-81

MOBILE, Ala. -- University of Mobile junior Crystal Coston scored 31 points to take over as the program’s all-time leading scorer and the Rams defeated 11th-ranked Xavier University (24-4, 13-3) 85-81 Saturday night at Pharr Gymnasium. After turning the ball over 49 times in a double-overtime loss to Belhaven College earlier in the week, the Rams rebounded by committing only 18 in the crucial win over the top-ranked team in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference.

Shooting 36.4 percent from the floor in the first half, the Rams conceded a 38-33 advantage to the Gold Nuggets. Coston’s 13 points at the break was the lone bright spot as she led all scorers heading into the locker rooms.

The second half was a different story as Kinga Rybarczyk sparked a 7-0 run that saw the Rams tie the game 57-57 with 7:28 remaining.

The lead exchanged hands six times before the Rams grabbed hold of it for good with 1:19 to go on a Coston free throw. Free throws down the stretch sealed the win for Mobile as they now improve to 21-7 overall and 12-4 in conference play. The Rams rode a strong 61.5 percent shooting from the floor and 18 second half points from Coston to claim the home victory in front of a near-capacity crowd.

Xavier was led by the triumvirate of Kojavona Hamilton, Jarryn Cleaves and Sheronda Nash who scored 17, 14 and 10 points respectively.

The University of Mobile will host SUNO on Thursday, Feb. 24, while the Gold Nuggets will host Loyola University on Wednesday, Feb. 23 with both tip-offs set for 5:30 p.m.

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