FLORENCE – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team used a balanced attack on offense during an 81-59 over Bellarmine Saturday afternoon at Flowers Hall. The win gives the Lions a 10-13 overall record and keeps the team in second place in the ASUN Conference West Division with a 5-6 league mark.
Julia Strachan led five players reached double figures for UNA. The graduate transfer from Adelphi scored 17 points while Skyler Gill turned in a double-double with 11 points and a career-high 15 rebounds. She also added four more blocked shots to up her ASUN-leading total to 62 for the season.
On Saturday, North Alabama led 17-12 after the opening quarter and fought off the Knights' best run in the second period. The visitors were 5-of-6 from three-point range in the second quarter as the two teams each scored 23 points in the frame.
The Lions trailed 29-27 before closing the half on a 13-6 spurt. Hina Suzuki started a 10-0 run with a basket and free throw at the 4:00 mark. Alexis Callins later found Macey Lee in transition to put UNA ahead 37-29 with 2:42 remaining. Bellarmine answered with back-to-back treys before Suzuki connected from long range in the final score to give the Lions a 40-35 lead at the break.
UNA took control in the third quarter, going 6-of-12 from three-point range while holding the Knights to just five made shots from the floor. A three-pointer by Jade Moore with eight seconds to play gave the Lions a 62-49 lead heading into the final period.
The lead would only grow in the fourth quarter. Five straight points by the Lions pushed the lead to 67-49 and Bellarmine would get no closer than 14 points down the stretch.
Callins finished with 13 points on the day. Patrycja Jaworska added 12 points and nine assists. Lee also reached double figures with 11 points for the Lions. Mackenzie Keelin led Bellarmine (3-20 overall, 0-12 ASUN) with a game-high 19 points.
UNA will play at Lipscomb Monday in an ASUN Conference makeup game. Tip-off time is set for 3 p.m. at Allen Arena on the LU campus in Nashville, Tenn.
