FLORENCE, Ala. (January 6, 2024) – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team opened Atlantic Sun Conference play against the Central Arkansas Sugar Bears on Saturday afternoon, falling 83-62 inside CB&S Bank Arena in Florence, Ala.

In the first ASUN game for both teams, the Sugar Bears and Lions were fairly even to start, but three-point differentials in the first and second quarter gave Central Arkansas a six-point halftime lead. Despite UNA having their highest scoring quarter in the third (19 points), the Sugar Bears outscored the Lions 44-29 in the second half to take game one of the two-game season series.

Central Arkansas earns their first conference win of the season and ninth win overall to move to 9-5, while UNA begins 0-1 in league play and moves to 4-10 overall.

The leading scorer for the Lions was sophomore guard Alyssa Clutter, who finished with a team-high 13 points and 10 rebounds for her second-career double-double. It marks the second double-double of the season for Clutter after accomplishing the feat against Fisk on Dec. 15. She also contributed three assists in the performance.

Senior guard Alexis Callins and graduate forward Allie Craig Cruce rounded out the top three scorers for North Alabama, finishing with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Cruce earned her first start for UNA and opened the game by hitting her first shot on a transition three in rhythm.

Senior guard Sara Wohlgemuth had an all-around game with nine points, four assists and five rebounds, while adding one steal on the defensive side.

HOW IT HAPPENED

FIRST QUARTER: Cruce opening the scoring with a catch-and-shoot transition three in her first start for the Lions. A layup from the Sugar Bears on the following possession started a back-and-forth affair, leading to four scores from both teams to begin the quarter. Callins contributed five points while Clutter added a layup, putting UNA up two into the first media timeout. UCA went on a 6-1 run out the media timeout for a 14-11 lead. The teams scored six points each in the final 1:30 of the opening period with the Sugar Bears leading 20-17.

SECOND QUARTER: The Sugar Bears continued where they left off, opening with the first four points of the second period. Down 26-18, the Lions were able to get their offense going with five points before the media timeout, but UCA still led 29-23 halfway through. UNA's offense came out strong out of the break, going on an 8-1 run to retake a one-point lead at 31-30. An ensuing 6-0 run from Central Arkansas swung momentum back towards the visitors, ending the quarter outscoring UNA 9-2 for a 39-33 halftime lead.

THIRD QUARTER: North Alabama outscored Central Arkansas 5-2 to begin the second half. The Sugar Bears were able to get their offense going with a 10-4 run to the maintain the advantage. UCA took control with a 59-44 lead, but scores from Callins, Clutter and Cruce sparked an 8-4 UNA run to end the quarter — UCA up 63-52. This marked the highest-scoring quarter for both teams.

FOURTH QUARTER: Clutter opened the fourth quarter with a layup, but the Sugar Bears kept their foot on the gas with a 10-2 run. Wohlgemuth's layup at the 5:47 mark gave the Lions a much-needed score after a four-minute drought. Despite the loss, freshman guard Chloe Siegel, sophomore guard Rhema Pegues and Clutter all would find the score sheet in the fourth for UNA.


INSIDE THE NUMBERS

·       11 – In the first career start at UNA for Allie Craig Cruce, the graduate forward finished with 11 points on four made shots, including a deep three to open scoring. She also added five rebounds, an assist and a block.

·       3 – North Alabama finished with three double-digit scorers in the first conference action of the season. Clutter led the way with 13 points, followed by 12 points from Callins and 11 from Cruce to round out the top three for UNA.

• 19 – Down six after the break, North Alabama came out of the gates in the second half with their highest scoring quarter. The Lions scored 19 points with five baskets (including one made three) and eight made free throws. The quarter allowed UNA to get back into the game and cut the UCA deficit to three.

·       88.9% – The third quarter of the Lions was the highest scoring period for UNA with 19 points, and the free throw shooting of North Alabama proved to be a key factor. The Lions shot 88.9 percent from the field – their highest of any quarter – with eight made free throws.


COMING UP NEXT
North Alabama continues its homestand in CB&S Bank Arena on Thursday, Jan. 11 against Austin Peay. The Governors make the trip to Florence as part of a doubleheader with men's basketball, tipping off at 5:30 p.m.

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