November 9, 2002
Auburn University-Montgomery 57, University of Mobile 51

Mobile, Ala. – Despite a second-half surge in which Mobile cut 10^th-ranked Auburn University-Montgomery’s lead to 2, the Rams (2-2) lost 57-51 in the concluding game of the women’s basketball Hampton Inn UM Tip-Off Classic. Led by Jackie Tate’s 22 points and 7 rebounds the Senators (2-0) never gave up the lead as they out-rebounded the Rams 30-25 and committed 11 fewer turnovers.

“We started out slow in the first half,” Coach Martha Algernon commented. “That was the difference in the game. We gave ourselves a chance to win in the second half.”

Thanks to 6 straight points by Jackie Tate, the Senators found themselves up 12-4 with 12:38 remaining in the first half. The Rams, who shot 37 percent on 6-of-16 from the floor in the half, cut AUM’s lead to 5 following a Laurie Simon 3-pointer with 4:31 remaining. The Senators fired back scoring the final two field goals of the half. Tate’s 10 first-half points led the Senators as they took a 25-16 half-time lead despite shooting 37 percent on 12-of-32 from the floor.

The Rams scored the first three points of the second half. However, the Senators responded with a 4-0 run of their own to open up a 36-27 lead with 14:07 remaining. Shooting a much improved 52 percent in the second half, the Rams’ Crystal Coston led a 7-0 run that brought 9^th-ranked Mobile to within 3. Although the Senators responded by opening up a 49-40 lead with 6:55 remaining, the Rams made one last charge. Cutting AUM’s lead to 53-51 with 1:12 remaining, the Senators managed to stave off the late Mobile charge for the win.

The Rams were led by freshman Crystal Coston’s 18 points and 7 rebounds.

In addition to Jackie Tate’s 22 points, the Senator’s Monica Diamond also turned in a solid performance finishing with 10 points and 8 rebounds.

The University of Mobile women’s team will look to get back on track Monday, Nov. 11, as they take on Oakwood College at Pharr Gymnasium at 5:30 p.m.

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