UNA MEN SHOOT DOWN ALABAMA STATE 81-69

Box Score MONTGOMERY – The University of North Alabama men's basketball team built an early double-digit lead and held off Alabama State in the second half to record an 81-69 road win Sunday afternoon at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome in Montgomery. The win evens the Lions' overall record at 3-3 on the year.

Four players reached double figures in scoring for UNA, which connected on 14-of-28 three-point attempts on the day. The Lions shot 44.4 percent from the floor overall and led from the opening basket.

Freshman duo Dallas Howell and Daniel Ortiz scored 15 points each to lead North Alabama. The two combined to go 8-of-11 from three-point range.

UNA was 10-of-19 from long range in the first half, getting treys from three different players to grab a double-digit lead. A three-pointer by Ortiz started a 21-1 run for the Lions where every point came from beyond the arc.

Following a basket by the Hornets to cut the deficit to 10-6, Howell connected on a trio of three-point shots to push the lead to 19-6 midway through the opening half. Another three-pointer by Ortiz was sandwiched around two Alabama State baskets before Payton Youngblood hit two shots from long range. His second trey gave the Lions at 28-11 lead with 6:41 remaining in the first half.

ASU got within 12 before another three-pointer by Howell made the score 33-18 at the 4:05 mark. UNA led by 16 at the half when Jamari Blackmon found Isaac Chatman for a transition basket as time expired. The buzzer-beater made the score 44-28 at the break.

The Hornets got within single digits six times in the second half. UNA, however, answered each time, maintaining at least an eight-point advantage over the final 20 minutes.

After a basket by the home team made the score 72-64 with 2:43 remaining, Howell hit his fifth three-pointer of the day on the ensuing possession to push the lead back to 11 points. Alabama State got within nine points two more times before free throws by C.J. Brim allowed the Lions to regain the double-digit advantage.

Youngblood added 14 points for the Lions. Brim rounded out the top UNA scorers with 13 points.

The Lions will host Mississippi Valley State on Wednesday. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. at Flowers Hall.

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Players Mentioned

#3 Jamari Blackmon: G; 6' 1"; Junior

#11 C.J. Brim: G; 5' 9"; Senior

#12 Isaac Chatman: F; 6' 6"; Junior

#34 Dallas Howell: F; 6' 7"; Freshman

#14 Payton Youngblood: F; 6' 5"; Graduate Student

#2 Daniel Ortiz: G; 6' 0"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#3 Jamari Blackmon
: 6' 1"; Junior
: G

#11 C.J. Brim
: 5' 9"; Senior
: G

#12 Isaac Chatman
: 6' 6"; Junior
: F

#34 Dallas Howell
: 6' 7"; Freshman
: F

#14 Payton Youngblood
: 6' 5"; Graduate Student
: F

#2 Daniel Ortiz
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: G