MARCH 17

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- On this date in University of North Alabama athletic history, the 1979 UNA men's basketball team defeated Wisconsin-Green Bay 64-50 as the Lions claimed the school's first national championship.

Ron Darby led three Lions in double-figures with 17 points, while Perry Oden had 15 and Otis Boddie 13.

Oden was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player and Darby joined him on the all-tournament team.

UNA defeated Florida Southern (75-67) and Valdosta State (110-101) in the South Regional at Lakeland, Fla., then downed Nicholls State 103-97 on the road in Thibodaux, La.

The Lions advanced to the championship game with an 85-82 win over Bridgeport in the national semifinal.

After an 8-7 start to the season, the Lions finished 1978-79 with a 22-9 record under head coach Bill Jones.

It was the first of seven national championship that the Lions have claimed in four different sports.