NASHVILLE, Tenn., – Playing short-handed and without head coach Missy Tiber, the University of North Alabama women's basketball dropped an 87-69 decision at Lipscomb Sunday afternoon to close the regular season. The loss gives UNA a 7-17 record on the year and a 6-9 ASUN Conference mark.

The Lions, who are currently in fifth place in the ASUN standings, do not play the final weekend of the regular season and will not know their opening-round opponent for the conference championships until all games are final.

On Sunday, flu-like symptoms took out the availability of Tiber. Jaila Roberts, Jade Moore and Hina Suzuki were also unavailable, leaving the Lions with six roster players against Lipscomb.

North Alabama turned to the three-point shot to counter its lack of numbers. The Lions were 16-of-42 from long range, setting a UNA single-game record for attempts and coming up one shy of the record for made three-pointers.

UNA held a lead until the closing seconds of the first quarter. A three-pointer by the Bisons at the buzzer gave the home team a 15-13 lead. The Bisons were able to grab a double-digit lead by controlling the second and third quarters.

Lipscomb led 20-16 before using an 8-0 run to push the lead to 12 points with 6:02 remaining in the half. The two teams traded runs from there.

After the Bisons went ahead by 11 at the 3:52 mark, Jaida Bond hit two free throws and a trey. Alexis Callins then hit 1-of-2 foul shots to make the score 32-27 with 1:10 remaining. The home team, however, scored five straight points to close the half, taking a 37-27 lead into the break.

Lipscomb led by as many as 21 in the second half and held off each North Alabama run. The Bisons led 62-44 heading into the fourth quarter. Back-to-back three-pointers by Bond and Noah cut the deficit to 69-57 with 7:12 to play. Lipscomb, however, responded with another 8-0 run to regain a 20-point advantage. The Lions would get no closer than 15 the rest of the way.

Four UNA players reached double figures, including Noah, who scored 21 points after going 7-of-13 from three-point range. Bond added 17 points while Macey Lee recorded her first career double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Callins finished with 10 points while Sakyia White had 12 rebounds. Taylor Clark led Lipscomb (11-8 overall, 8-5 ASUN) with a game-high 23 points.

The 2021 ASUN Conference Tournament begins March 10, in Kennesaw, Ga.