FLORENCE, Ala. (January 12, 2024) – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team will cap off their year-opening three-game homestand against Lipscomb on Saturday at 5 p.m. inside CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall.
Saturday is UNA's "Gold Rush" game, as fans are encouraged to wear gold in support of the University's "Shine On, Gold" campaign. For more information, click here.
A quick turnaround for the Lions, UNA is coming off of their first Atlantic Sun Conference win with a 79-75 victory over Austin Peay yesterday. A tightly contested affair, both teams battled early on, but a strong third quarter with balanced scoring from North Alabama swung momentum towards the Lions. Graduate forward Allie Craig Cruce came up big in the final period, scoring 12 fourth quarter points en route to a career-high 27 points.
North Alabama and Lipscomb meet for the first of two regular season games this season. North Alabama will travel to Nashville, Tenn. for the return trip to face the Bisons on Feb. 22.
Premium Seating at CB&S Bank Arena is sold out for the year, but general admission season tickets and single game tickets are still available. For ticket information, contact bbond@una.edu, call 256-765-5466 or visit online at this link.
Parking is available to the general public along the streets of Circular Road and Stewart Avenue, as well as the parking lot in front of Rice and Rivers Hall and the parking garage. Lots A, B and C at the Bill Jones Athletic Complex and below the arena are reserved parking spaces. There is also paid parking below the Science Building off Circular Road.
MATCHUP
North Alabama vs. Lipscomb
Saturday, January 13, 2024
5 p.m.
Game Notes | Listen | Live Stats | Tickets | Watch
NOTES
SCOUTING THE LIONS: UNA comes into the game with a 5-10 overall record while going 1-1 to start ASUN play. The record checks in one spot below sixth-place Lipscomb and above eighth-place Jacksonville. North Alabama ranks third in the ASUN with 70.9 points per game. UNA also ranks among the top three ASUN teams in the following categories: free throw percentage (76.6 percent/first), three-point percentage (34 percent/first), team assists (14.9 per game/third), three pointers per game (8.6 per game/second), bench points per game (22.7/third) and field goal percentage (42.6 percent/third).
SCOUTING THE BISONS: Lipscomb sports a 9-7 record on the season, posting a 5-2 record at home and a 4-5 record on the road. The Bisons are 2-1 in ASUN play so far with wins over EKU (64-59) and Bellarmine (76-65). Lipscomb dropped their first conference game of the year last time out, losing a 66-61 battle on the road at Central Arkansas. The leading scorer is redshirt junior forward Aleah Sorrentino, who averages 12.1 PPG to rank ninth in the ASUN in scoring. Head Coach Lauren Sumski is in her fifth season with the team.
SERIES HISTORY: The Lions and Bisons have met on the court 25 times with Lipscomb leading the series, 17-8. Lipscomb claimed the last four wins in the series, including a 63-53 win at home on March 5, 2023. UNA is 4-7 when playing the Bisons at home and seeks its first home win over Lipscomb in five tries. The Lions' last overall win against the Bisons came on Valentine's Day of 2022, when UNA took a game on the road in Nashville, 76-68.
CRUCE CRUISES TO CAREER HIGH: After making her first start at home for the Lions on Jan. 6, 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 against Austin Peay, while setting a new team-high for most threes in a game with seven. Cruce shined on an efficient 9-13 shooting from the field, saving her best to ice the game with 12 fourth quarter points on a perfect 4-4 shooting. Cruce also registered seven rebounds and one assist in the 79-75 victory.
(MORE) BIG GAMES AT THE BANK: CB&S Bank Arena has been home to five career-setting games so far this season, with the performances coming in consecutive fashion. Callins, sophomore guard Alyssa Clutter, freshman guard Veronaye Charlton and Cruce have each had their own shining moments on the court, dropping career numbers in the previous home contests. Callins scored a career-high 27 points against UT Martin, while Clutter registered her first two career double-doubles against Fisk and Central Arkansas. Charlton had her highest-scoring home game against Tennessee Tech, scoring 25 against the Golden Eagles to surpass her previous career high of 21 against UTEP. Cruce added her name to the list with a 27-point night against Austin Peay.
NO PRESSURE: Free throws may be free, but North Alabama has made teams pay from the charity stipe this season. Not only do the Lions lead the ASUN in free-throw percentage, but they also among the top-40 teams in the nation, checking in at No. 31. The current average would break North Alabama's Division I record by 1.5 percent if the season ended today and would be the most since 2008-09, when the UNA shot 81.5 percent as a team.
CALLINS CAN SCORE (A LOT): Callins' 16 PPG ranks fourth in the ASUN and would mark a new Division I high at UNA for individual season scoring average. Third in field goal percentage in the conference, she is the leader in three-point makes and percentage with 43 and 36.4 percent totals. Callins' three-point game is nationally ranked just outside the top-20, ranking 21st in makes and 22nd in percentage. Callins' mark would also be the highest since Emma Wallen in 2017-2018 with 18.3 PPG.
CHARLTON KEEPS IT COOL: Charlton continues to make an impact in her first season at UNA. Charlton brings energy whenever she touches the court, but her calling card is remaining cool, calm and collected from the charity stripe. She checks in at 87.2 percent from the line, leading the ASUN and ranking 36th nationally.
DROPPING DIMES: Senior guard Sara Wohlgemuth is in the ASUN lead and ranks 34th nationally with 5.5 assists per game. Her 82 assists lead the ASUN with a 36th national ranking. She is also second in the ASUN with a 1.61 assist/turnover ratio.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
