MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Thomas delivered one of its most resilient performances of the year, taking the No. 4 West seed Mobile to overtime before falling 73–69 in the opening round of the SSAC Men's Basketball Championship on Wednesday at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl.
The Night Hawks led for more than 30 minutes of game time, built a 16‑point advantage in the second half, and held a two‑possession lead in overtime before Mobile closed with an 8–0 run to end Thomas' postseason.
Thomas led by as many as 16 points in the second half before Mobile stormed back with a 42‑point frame to force overtime. Both teams traded baskets early in the extra period, but Mobile closed the game on a decisive run and held the Night Hawks without a field goal over the final minute.
Thomas came out locked in defensively and efficient on the offensive end. Eli Curry opened the scoring with a transition layup, followed by buckets from Armani Thomas and Jonathan Goldson as the teams traded early leads. Goldson hit a three at the 13:54 mark to knot the game at 7–7.
Thomas took control midway through the half, stringing together a 12–4 run sparked by Curry, Goldson, and Thomas. A late three from Eli Curry, assisted by Goldson with 15 seconds left, capped a strong defensive half and sent the Night Hawks into the break leading 29–22.
Thomas opened the second half on fire. Armani Thomas buried a three just 47 seconds in, and Shane Payne followed with a jumper. Moments later, Payne connected on another deep three from the wing, and Thomas drilled his third three of the afternoon as the Night Hawks surged ahead 49–33—their largest lead of the game at the 12:27 mark.
Goldson's aggression at the rim continued to fuel the offense. He hit multiple free throws after drawing contact inside, eventually finishing 8‑for‑9 from the line on the day. Through the midpoint of the half, Thomas held the Rams at arm's length with timely baskets from Payne and Thomas
Mobile began its comeback on the boards and at the free‑throw line. Aahmod Scarbrough and Mason Sword powered the Rams' offense, combining for several momentum‑shifting buckets. Offensive rebounds and consecutive trips to the line allowed Mobile to chip away at the deficit.
With under a minute to play, Thomas still led 64–62. But Mobile tied it on a layup with 26 seconds left, and although the Night Hawks drew a foul with two seconds remaining, both free throws were off the mark, sending the postseason matchup into overtime tied 64–64
Thomas struck first in overtime when Jonathan Goldson drilled a clutch three from the right wing to put the Night Hawks up 69–65 with 2:42 remaining—their final field goal of the game.
Mobile answered with a layup, then tied the game on a fast‑break finish with 38 seconds left. Thomas had multiple opportunities to retake the lead, but contested attempts from Curry and Payne rimmed out.
With no time left on the clock, Mobile's Zion Hunter drew a foul and sank both free throws, sealing Thomas' 73–69 postseason defeat.
Freshman guard Jonathan Goldson led Thomas with 18 points, including a pair of critical free throws and a three‑pointer in overtime. Shane Payne added 19 points and four assists, while Armani Thomas chipped in 11 points and six rebounds.
Je'hvonni Hogan provided a lift off the bench with seven points, three rebounds and two blocks, and Eli Curry contributed seven points and six boards. Thomas finished the day 21‑for‑55 from the field and 8‑for‑22 from beyond the arc.
Mobile's Zion Hunter scored 15 points, including the final four points of overtime at the free‑throw line to seal the win. The Rams held a 47–35 rebounding advantage and went 24‑for‑32 at the free‑throw line.
competition.
With the result, Thomas concludes its season, showing competitive consistency throughout the season. The Night Hawks will now turn their attention to offseason development in preparation for the 2026–27 campaign.
