FLORENCE, Ala. (January 13, 2024) – For the third straight game, the University of North Alabama had a better second half than its opponent, but it would not be enough on Saturday as the Lions fell 81-72 against Eastern Kentucky University in Atlantic Sun Conference action inside CB&S Bank Arena.
The Lions (7-10, 1-2 ASUN) struggled early shooting, allowing the Colonels (8-9, 4-0 ASUN) to jump to a double-digit lead. Like the first two games in conference play against Central Arkansas and Bellarmine, the second half seemed to spark some life back into the Lions, who pulled back within two possessions with 1:49 remaining. Up 72-66, EKU did enough to hold off UNA's final surge and ice the game.
UNA had four players in double-figures, led by sophomore guard
Jacari Lane with a game-high 19 points and eight assists. The assist total was just three short of his career-high set earlier this season at Kansas State. He also set a new career-high with four steals.
Another near double-double, senior forward
Damian Forrest held his own against ASUN Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Isaiah Cozart, finishing with 15 points and eight rebounds over 24 minutes despite early foul trouble. Graduate forward
Tim Smith Jr. added 14 points and five boards, while senior guard
KJ Johnson had 11 points and four boards.
Veteran EKU player Michael Moreno was a tough matchup for UNA, finishing with 17 points and five rebounds. Cozart had 14 points and 11 rebounds for the double-double, but was held below his season average in blocks with just three on the night.
The Lions debuted throwback uniforms for Saturday's game, honoring the 50th anniversary of the school's name change from "Florence State University" to the "University of North Alabama" in 1974. The jerseys featured "Florence State" in purple lettering and gold trim sandwiching the uniform number on a home white background. An old school "Lions" gold logo was placed on the shorts.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half: Lane opened up the scoring with a three-point basket to keep the energy up, but EKU settled the crowd with a 7-0 run to take the lead. The Colonels remained red-hot with over 50 percent shooting the entire half. Meanwhile, the Lions struggled to get baskets to fall in the first half, but came along late to finish at 37.5 percent. A little momentum was captured at the halftime buzzer as Johnson made a last second layup. EKU led 45-33 at the break. Lane led all players with 12 points in the opening frame.
Second Half: The second half lead for EKU grew from 12 to 18 by the 12:49 mark with the score at 58-40. Though steep, the game was not out of reach for UNA as the home team got within single digits on back-to-back buckets from Forrest and Smith Jr. EKU went dry on scoring for about four minutes, allowing Smith Jr. to sink a three with 1:49 to go and pull UNA within six for the first time since the 11:07 mark of the first half. ASUN Preseason Player of the Year Devontae
Blanton
and Leland Walker answered to put EKU back up by eight in the final minute, and UNA was unable to recover.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- UNA won the battle in the paint despite facing one of the top five blocking teams in the nation, outscoring EKU 34-30 with physical play and high-level layup movements.
- EKU shot 42.9 percent from the floor, going 27-63, while UNA finished 26-70 for 37.1 percent.
- EKU also had a 20-plus percent advantage behind the arc, going 8-17 to UNA's 5-21. Both teams hit three triples in the second half, while UNA had two more baskets overall.
- Rebounding was fairly even with EKU ahead 44-43, though UNA had a 16-12 advantage on the offensive glass.
- UNA attempted just three free throws in the first half, but went on to finish 15-21 at the line for 71.4 percent. EKU went 19-26 for 73.1 percent.
- Forrest and Smith Jr. combined to shoot 13-20 from the field (65 percent).
- UNA trailed by as many as 18 points in the second half, but outscored EKU 31-23 in the final 12:49 of the game.
- Over the last three games, UNA is outscoring ASUN opponents 138-100 in the second half.
COMING UP NEXT
With three ASUN home games in the books, the Lions hit the road for the next three. This swing begins Thursday, Jan. 18 at Austin Peay at 7 p.m. in Clarksville, Tenn.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
