MBB
75
Pensacola Christian College PCC 0-1
79
Winner University of Mobile UM 1-0
Pensacola Christian College PCC
0-1
75
Final
79
University of Mobile UM
1-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Pensacola Christian College PCC 35 40 75
University of Mobile UM 33 46 79

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Braden Mottor

Eagles Fall Four Points Short of Mobile in Season Opener

Game Recap:
After 239 days without a basketball game, the PCC Eagles returned to action in Mobile, Alabama, for their 2025–26 season opener. Facing the University of Mobile for the 19th time in program history and the first time since February 20, 2021, the Eagles were eager to start their season strong. After holding a halftime lead and later leading by five with under two minutes remaining, the Eagles came up just short, falling 75-79 to the Rams.
 
With a starting lineup featuring familiar faces: Paul Stickles, Josh Azucena, Kaiden Pack, Deric Woods, and Liam Gerdts, the Eagles struggled early, falling behind 1-12 within the first three minutes. A forced turnover and layup by Pack sparked the team's first field goal of the season, settling them into the game. PCC was held to just one made shot through six minutes before substitutions Raul Bertinato and Goodnews Akonofua provided an immediate spark, Bertinato with a driving layup and Akonofua with a dunk off a Gerdts assist.
 
Despite trailing by as much as 15 midway through the first half, the Eagles showed their trademark grit. Down 7-22, they erupted on a 28-11 run to close the half. Sophomore guard Luke Peck came off the bench and lit it up, knocking down 4-6 from deep in just 12 minutes of action. The half ended in dramatic fashion as Gerdts finished at the rim, then Pack's steal set up a transition three from Peck to beat the buzzer, giving PCC a 35-33 halftime lead after once trailing by as many as 15 points.
 
The second half remained tight throughout, with neither team leading by more than six. Bertinato again got the Eagles on the board early, and despite Mobile briefly regaining the lead, PCC continued to answer. Stickles buried his first three-pointer of the season to give the Eagles the edge with 15 minutes to play, and Peck stayed hot, hitting his 5th triple of the night shortly after checking back in.
 
Peck's 8th three-pointer of the game extended PCC's lead to six with under three minutes left, but the Rams mounted a late comeback. Two costly turnovers and a few defensive stops from Mobile flipped the momentum, and despite holding the lead for 15 of the final 20 minutes, the Eagles couldn't hang on. The Rams capitalized in the closing moments to steal the win, 79-75.
 
Despite the result, the four-point loss marks the closest PCC has come to topping Mobile since 2016 (L, 62-65). Peck led all scorers with a career-high 26 points on 8-for-13 shooting from three, adding two steals in a breakout performance. Pack continued his strong play from last season with 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals, while Gerdts added 13 points, 4 boards, and 4 assists. Bertinato also impressed in his Eagle debut, posting 11 points on an efficient 5-7 shooting to go with 7 rebounds and 3 assists.
 
What's Next:
The Eagles return home Tuesday for their 2025–26 home opener, hosting the Baptist University of Florida Eagles in the first-ever matchup between the two programs. BUF enters its first season in the NCCAA South Region and will make its debut in "The Nest" at 7:30 PM. Come out, be loud, and support the Eagles in their home opener!
 
Stay updated on the Eagles' season by following @eaglespccmbb on Instagram. For full coverage of all PCC Eagles teams, events, and schedules, follow @eaglespcc on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram.