LAWRENCE, Kan. (November 17, 2024) – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team dropped a competitive bout on Sunday in Lawrence, Kan., falling on the road to the Kansas Jayhawks, 81-64.
In the first-ever meeting between the two programs, the Lions showed that they were in town to compete from opening tip. UNA started slow offensively, using the first quarter to get in rhythm for a stronger second period. Trailing 24-14 after one, North Alabama outscored Kansas in the second quarter, 21-18, using the offensive surge to cut the Jayhawk lead to 42-35 at halftime.
The third quarter continued the battle from Allen Fieldhouse, as the Lions hung with the Jayhawks for a second-straight period. Kansas held the slight 20-19-point advantage, but North Alabama's offense rolled to another efficient shooting quarter. UNA shot 53.3 percent from the field to the Jayhawks' 40, setting up the final period for the Lions to try and complete the comeback.
Quarter four started with a Lions' score, but the Jayhawks caught their rhythm to pull away midway through. Kansas went on a key 9-0 run after the UNA score, using the run to provide insurance. North Alabama matched the Jayhawks with four scores after the run, but Kansas surged ahead for the home win.
Three Lions scored in double figures in sophomore Katie Criswell, junior India Howard and junior Cameron Jones, who led with 17, 11 and 10 respective points. Criswell registered a career-high in the outing, shooting 50 percent from the field with three three-pointers, five rebounds and two assists. Howard added four rebounds, three assists and a team-leading two blocks in the contest, with Jones adding three rebounds and one assist.
Despite the end result, UNA shot over 50 percent in the second and third quarters. The Lions held Kansas to their lowest shooting quarters in the two frames (43.8 and 40 percent, respectively) and totaled more rebounds with an 18-15 advantage. UNA outscored Kansas 40-38 in the two quarters.
HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST QUARTER:
Kansas started with the momentum early with an opening 24-14 first quarter. North Alabama scored the first points of the game thanks to a Jones layup, But the Jayhawks took the lead back with an ensuing three. The Lions only shot 33.3 percent from the field but converted on all three of their free throws. UNA's bench sparked the offense in the quarter, contributing 10 points as the Lions looked for a better second period.
SECOND QUARTER:
The second quarter was the "Katie Criswell Show," with the guard going off for 13 points as the Lions' offense came alive. She totaled over half of the team's points in the frame, including the first four shots and six points in the first minute. As a team, North Alabama went 8-16 from the field and 3-7 from three compared to 7-16 from and 2-7 from behind the arc for Kansas. The paint was also solidified with two blocks from Howard, two more than the entire Jayhawk team. North Alabama cut the deficit to single digits, going into halftime with momentum towards the second half.
THIRD QUARTER:
Kansas scored one more point than North Alabama in the third, but the Lions' efficient scoring continued on with Howard playing the star of the quarter. The junior scored nine points, working hard in the paint with totals of two rebounds, one assist and one steal. UNA's bench continued its contributions with 14 points as Howard led the way followed by three from junior Sarang West and two from junior Rhema Pegues. North Alabama looked on to the fourth quarter with the offense firing on all cylinders.
FOURTH QUARTER:
The final period started in favor of UNA, but a surge offensively for the Jayhawks proved the difference-maker in the contest. North Alabama scored the opening points off a Howard hook shot, but Kansas rolled off nine-straight ensuing points to put distance in between the two teams. The Lions kept pushing through despite the run, matching the Jayhawks shot for shot for the rest of the period. West, Criswell and sophomore Veronaye Charlton scored the final eight points for UNA.
UP NEXT
North Alabama continues the Midwest road swing on Nov. 19, taking on No. 21 Nebraska from Pinnacle Bank Arena at 7 p.m.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
