FLORENCE, Ala. (January 11, 2024) – North Alabama Women's Basketball earned its first win of the new year, surging past Atlantic Sun Conference foe Austin Peay, 79-75, inside CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall Thursday night.

Offense was the name of the game early, as both teams shot nearly 50 percent en route to a high-scoring first quarter. The Governors took a one-point lead into halftime, but the Lions remained competitive by shooting 53.8 percent from the field for the half. A balanced scoring effort from UNA led to a 20-16 scoring advantage in the third to swing the momentum and the lead in the favor of the Lions. The fourth quarter saw the Govs continue to put pressure with time winding down, but big shots from graduate forward Allie Craig Cruce, senior guard Sara Wohlgemuth and sophomore guard Alyssa Clutter allowed UNA to hold on for their first ASUN win.

The Lions improved to 5-10 on the year while moving to 1-1 in conference play. The Governors fall to 9-8 with a 2-1 record in the ASUN. The win also evens the series at 3-3, with UNA earning their first win over Austin Peay since the 1983-84 season.

Leading the scoring efforts for North Alabama was Cruce, who shined with a career-high 27 points on an efficient 9-13 shooting from the field that included going 7-11 from deep. She saved her best quarter for last, going 4-4 from three to ice the game with 12-fourth quarter points. Cruce also registered seven rebounds and one assist on the night.

Wohlgemuth (13), freshman Veronaye Charlton (11) and Clutter (10) rounded out the four scorers who finished in double-digits for UNA.

Wohlgemuth also had a near-triple double effort, tallying eight assists and seven rebounds to go with her 13 points. The ASUN leader in assists finished with the team-high in assists and in a three-way tied in rebounds.

HOW IT HAPPENED

FIRST QUARTER: Neither team wanted to start slow in the first, combining for 42 points scored in the opening period — 21 apiece. The Lions and Governors changed leads seven times and both hovered around 50 percent shooting, including 50 percent for UNA and nearly 48 percent for Austin Peay. Cruce led all scorers in the first with nine points.

SECOND QUARTER: The competitive conference showdown continued into the second, but the Govs would gain a slight advantage before the halftime break. North Alabama and Austin Peay continued to trade baskets until the 3:14 mark, when the Govs went on an 8-0 run to retake the lead and gain momentum. Wohlgemuth and Charlton closed the deficit for UNA with a three-pointer and layup, but the Lions trailed by one with two quarters to go.

THIRD QUARTER: A 20-16 scoring advantage in UNA's favor shifted momentum toward the Lions as they continued to battle. North Alabama trailed for only 10 seconds in the third quarter, sparked by a balance effort scoring the ball. Cruce and Clutter led with four points, while four players scored three points each as the Lions used 53.3 percent shooting to give them a 57-54 lead heading into the fourth.

FOURTH QUARTER: The fourth quarter was tight, as the Lions continued to fend off the Govs with 10 minutes to go. The teams alternated shots to begin the half until Austin Peay scored seven unanswered to retake the lead at 65-64. At the 4:52 mark, Cruce hit one of her four threes of the quarter to give UNA the lead and never look back. Her 12 fourth-quarter points on 4-4 shooting and clutch points from Wohlgemuth and Clutter clinched the Lions' first ASUN win of the season.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

·       27 – After making her first start at home for the Lions last Saturday, Cruce wasted no time getting acquainted to the lineup. The Killen, Ala. native tied teammate Alexis Callins for the most points scored in a game by a Lion this season with her 27 points, while setting a new team-high for most threes in a game with seven.

·       51.9% – Conference play brings out the best in competition, so it is only fitting that the Lions answer the call and step up their game. North Alabama shot over 50 percent from the floor, finishing at 51.9 percent. UNA also shot over 40 percent from the floor, hitting 15 threes to lead both teams in the category. The 51.9 percent mark is the second highest field goal percentage the Lions have registered this season, coming second after a 53.5 percent finish against UTEP on Nov. 26.

·       42 – The boards were cleaned and detailed by North Alabama all night as 42 rebounds helped secure the home win. Three UNA players tied for the team lead with seven rebounds, with Cruce, Clutter and Wohlgemuth pacing the Lions in the category. This marks most in a Division I game for UNA this season.

·       15 – For a team known for shooting the three ball, North Alabama saved one of their better performances for conference play. UNA made 15 threes in the contest against the Governors, with four players each hitting at least one three. Cruce led with seven, while Wohlgemuth and Callins had four and three, respectively. The 15 threes also set a new single-game team-high.

·       6 – This is the number of free boneless wings that fans can retrieve at the Buffalo Wild Wings location in Florence after every UNA win with the purchase of six wings. Fans are encouraged to show their ticket or the social media graphic to retrieve the offer.

COMING UP NEXT

North Alabama ends a three-game ASUN home stand on Saturday, Jan. 13 against Lipscomb. The game will serve as part of a doubleheader with UNA Men's Basketball, with first tip scheduled for 5 p.m.

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.