Stillman Athletics
Chris Megginson
TUSCALOOSA – It took only 10 seconds for Trey Petty to put Stillman College on the scoreboard, and the Tigers did not look back en route to a 76-65 win over the University of Mobile in Birthright Alumni Hall. The win maintains Stillman’s lead in the Southern States Athletic Conference West Division by 1.5 games over Loyola University.
Stillman spread the ball around with eight players scoring, including four in double figures. Roger Davis ended up leading Stillman with 15 points off the bench, including 13 in the second half. Devin Merriweather finished with 13 points, Trey Petty had 12 and Ladarius Carter scored 11.
The Tigers out-rebounded Mobile, 52-38, led by Virgil Fields’ 12 boards and nine by Petty. Stillman continued its trend of protecting the basketball with an even 11 assists and 11 turnovers.
Stillman led by nine at the half, 39-30, before opening the second half on a 20-9 run to go up by 20 points, 59-39, in the first eight minutes. Petty grabbed an offensive rebound and put back for the first 20-point margin. Moments later, Tomias Brand slammed down a fastbreak dunk off a Petty steal to make it 20 once more, and then a Roger Davis basket later pushed it to 21 points, 65-44.
Mobile led only once, 10-8, after an Alan Lang basket eight minutes into the game.
RJ Kelly led Mobile with 15 points, 11 rebounds and two blocked shots while playing in foul trouble. Lang finished with 12 and Maurice Anderson scored 10. Logan Foutz, Darvin JOnes and Trenton Short each scored eight.
Both teams were held around 20% from 3-point range, playing the night inside the arch.
Stillman is scheduled to have the weekend off before returning to the University of Mobile next Tuesday, Feb. 2 for game three of a four-game series. Mobile (8-8, 3-4 SSAC) will play a two-game set at Loyola in New Orleans over the weekend first.