BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. – Blue Mountain Christian pulled off a huge upset Thursday night, handing nationally ranked No. 16 Mobile a 59-54 loss.
Manny Patrick and Keevin Etienne were both money for the Toppers, as Patrick would lead the way with 15 points and six rebounds, while Etienne had eight points and 14 boards.
Patrick provided the early offense for Blue Mountain, while Etienne put the lockdown on potential All-American Ezra McKenna, holding the Mobile star to just eight points.
The first half saw the teams go back and forth before Patrick put the Toppers up 22-17 with a three with 5:10 left to go.
Patrick would hit a jumper with 1:45 left in the half, followed by Mobile turnovers that turned into layups from Darien Newchurch and Trae Jones to give BMCU a 32-23 lead at the break.
Jalen Boyd Savage would step up big in the second half for Blue Mountain, as he would finish with 11 points.
Jones would chip in 10 points and four rebounds also in the victory for the Toppers.
With the Rams surging late in the game, the Toppers would be sent to the foul line to stop the clock.  Etienne would have a huge tip-in and Jones knocked down three-of-four free throws to seal the upset.
"The guys showed up to play tonight," BMCU head coach Jermael Bingham said.  "Our defense was a big key in the win.  We just did a lot of things right tonight on both sides of the ball, and that's what you have to do to beat a team as good as Mobile.  I'm really happy for our team."
Blue Mountain shot close to 50 percent on the night, while Mobile shot 43 percent.
The Toppers would force 14 Mobile turnovers and finish with 14 bench points to Mobile's three.
BMCU (7-5, 1-3 SSAC) returns to SSAC action Saturday against UT-Southern in Pulaski, Tenn. with tip set for 2 p.m. CT.
 
 
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