MOBILE, Ala. – Despite a second half rally, the No. 22 Martin Methodist Women's Basketball was unable to overcome a slow start in a 69-52 road loss to the University of Mobile (Ala.) Saturday afternoon.

The RedHawks (18-7, 11-5 SSAC) entered Saturday's showdown hungry for revenge after suffering a narrow 55-51 defeat when the two clubs met in the Curry Christian Life Center on Jan. 25.

On Saturday, however, the RedHawks fell behind early and were never able to recover, trailing by 18 points at halftime and as many as 23 late in the second half.

The loss marked just the fourth road defeat for the RedHawks, who entered Saturday's tilt with an impressive 9-3 record in true road contests this season.

Kelsey Nowlin scored 13 points on a 5-of-13 shooting effort to lead the RedHawks, who shot just 30 percent from the floor in the contest.

No other RedHawk finished in double figures as Rachel Brown and Kyra Knight scored nine and eight points each in the loss.

After being mauled in the rebounding department when the two sides met last, the RedHawks managed to scratch out a narrow 45-41 edge on the boards Saturday, but were unable to overcome a fluid Ram offense that handed out a whopping 17 assists.

Jakela Johnson finished with 21 points on a tidy 9-of-15 shooting effort to lead the Rams (17-7, 11-5), who entered Saturday's game ranked just outside the Top 25 of the latest NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 poll.

The loss dropped the RedHawks to second place in the SSAC West's division as the club now trails the Bethel (Tenn.) University Lady Wildcats, who won their contest Saturday to improve to 19-7 overall and 12-4 in league play.

The RedHawks return to action Monday, Feb. 17 when they host Hiwassee (Tenn.) College in a non-conference matchup. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. in the CLC.