FLORENCE, Ala. (November 14, 2024) – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team hosts its first home game of the season Friday night, facing the South Alabama Jaguars inside CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall.
Dating back to last season, UNA Women's Basketball returns to Florence for the first time in 273 days. The Lions won their season opener at UT Martin, and they'll look to add a home opening win on Friday. Additionally, first year head coach Candi Whitaker will coach her first home game at UNA on Friday.
The game will serve as part of North Alabama Basketball doubleheader, with men's basketball to follow at 7:45 p.m. against Samford.
The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with "Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray and Matt Daniels on the call and Lynden Blake as the courtside reporter. The game will also air on WLX Radio with Bryan Neece on commentary. Fans can listen on 98.3 or 103.5 FM in the Shoals or worldwide on the WLX App or website. The "Countdown to Tipoff" radio show begins at 5:10 p.m.
Season ticket are available by calling 256-765-5466 (LION) or by visiting this link.
Due to ongoing construction, the basketball parking plan will be revised for the 2024-25 season. Lots A and B will be in the parking lot directly below Flowers Hall. Lot A pass holders will have coned off spots near the staircase. Shuttles will be available to take fans up to the field house lot for entry into CB&S Bank Arena.
Lot C parking will be in the parking lot below the Mitchell Burford Science and Technology Building. Residential Students will have access into Lot C with their hang tags. The public can also park in this lot for $12. Parking at the Bill Jones athletic complex will be unavailable. However, this lot is available as a drop off area near the arena.
GAME INFO
Game: North Alabama vs. South Alabama
Date: Friday, November 15
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Florence, Ala.
Venue: CB&S Bank Arena (Flowers Hall)
Promotion: Lion Cup Night/Rotary Night
Watch: ESPN+ ("Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray, Matt Daniels and Lynden Blake)
Radio: WLX 98.3 / 103.5 FM (Bryan Neece)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Tickets: Click here
Social Media: @UNAwbb
NOTES
LAST TIME OUT: The University of North Alabama women's basketball team opened the season with two-straight road games in Tennessee against UT Martin and Tennessee Tech. Splitting the two contests, UNA tipped off the 2024-25 season with a 66-63 victory on Nov. 4 over the Skyhawks before dropping a 73-64 result at Tennessee Tech on Nov. 10.
LIONS ON THE BOARD: North Alabama is in the top three of three statistical categories as a team, ranking among the best ASUN teams in three-point field-goal percentage, free-throw percentage and overall field-goal percentage. UNA leads the conference with a 40 percent three-point percentage, while second with a 75 percent free-throw average and third with a 43.8 field-goal percentage.
THE RETURN OF E.K.: Junior guard Emma Kate Tittle is off to a hot start on the season, averaging 17 points per game. She ranks among the best in the conference in scoring (fourth) while ranking third in field-goal percentage (57.1) and three-point percentage (57.1). Tittle is also among the best long-range shooters, ranking first in three-point field goals a game with four.
CHARITY MAKES A CASE: Senior guard Charity Gallegos is making a statement in her first year at UNA. Gallegos averages 14 points per game, good for seventh in the conference and ranks among the ASUN's leader in field-goal percentage and three-point shooting. She's ninth in field-goal percentage (37.9 percent), 10th in three-pointers per game and 11th in three-point field-goal percentage (33.3 percent). Gallegos has been the primary playmaker for the Lions, averaging four assists per game, and is second in the conference with 34 minutes per game.
JAZZY'S IMPACT: Junior Jazzy Klinge has been an early contributor on the rebounding and defensive end for UNA. Klinge averages the seventh-most rebounds and blocked shots in the ASUN, with 7.5 and 1.5 respective totals.
SUPER CAM: Junior Cameron Jones is off to a career start in her third year for the Lions. The Broadview Heights, Ohio native is averaging a career-high 10.5 points per game and coming off a career-high 16-point performance against Tennessee Tech. Jones has been a steady presence on the court and at the free-throw line, with her 90 percent rating fourth in the ASUN.
SCOUTING THE LIONS: In two games this season, North Alabama has lead opponents in multiple statistical categories. The Lions have had a higher field-goal percentage (.438 to .415) while significantly leading in three-point percentage (.400 to .286). UNA has also led the rebounding battle with the Lions totaling 69-61.
SCOUTING SOUTH ALABAMA: The Jags make the trip to Florence sporting a 1-2 record on the season. The team opened the new season with a win, defeating Delta State in a 63-56 home victory. South Alabama finished the 2023-24 season at 9-23 overall with a 2-16 record in the Sun Belt Conference. The Jags were picked 14th in the Sun Belt, bringing back seven players from the previous season with eight new faces on the roster. South Alabama's head coach is Yolisha Jackson.
SERIES HISTORY: The Lions and Jags have faced each other six times previously with South Alabama leading the series, 4-2. The first matchup since the 1984-85 season, North Alabama won the last matchup with a 77-71 road victory.
PRESEASON RANKS: The Atlantic Sun Conference announced its 2024 preseason information for women's basketball on Oct. 10 with North Alabama voted seventh in the media poll and ninth in the coaches' poll.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
