FLORENCE, Ala. (November 25, 2024) – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team won its second home game of the season Monday night with a dominant 87-48 victory over the Cumberland Phoenix in CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall.
The Lions (3-3) returned to their friendly confides in Florence, bouncing back with the home win against the Phoenix (2-7) in the first meeting since the 1999-2000 season. Coming off previous contests against Kansas and No. 21 Nebraska, North Alabama rebounded in a big way en route to its largest win of the young season. UNA led wire-to-wire, earning its fourth overall win against Cumberland to improve the series lead to 4-1.
UNA imposed its will on the boards, grabbing 58 rebounds versus Cumberland. The Lions finished four shy of tying the Division I single-game school record of 62 rebounds, which was set in 2022. North Alabama also held a significant advantage in the assist category with 23, compared to just two assists for Cumberland.
Four Lions secured double-digit scoring marks in senior Charity Gallegos, junior Emma Kate Tittle, freshman Sofia Ceppellotti and junior India Howard. Gallegos led with a game-high 13 points, with Ceppellotti and Tittle tied for second with 11 points. Ceppellotti secured a new career-high in the outing, and Howard rounded out the double-digit leaders with 10 points.
Howard also contributed with a great night in the paint with 12 rebounds, grabbing six offensive and six defensive boards. Tonight marks her second career double-double, and the first since the ASUN Tournament opening round against Central Arkansas on March 9, 2024.
Gallegos and Howard were tops among the assisters with five each – a new career-high for Howard. The Lions blocked three total shots as junior Alyssa Clutter, sophomore Katie Criswell and Howard each secured one.
HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST QUARTER: UNA 25, CU 11
The opening period started strong for the Lions, as UNA got things started quickly with a 25-point first quarter. The offense came out shooting 50 percent from the field (10-20), also knocking down 60 percent of its three-pointers (3-5) and 100 percent from the line (2-2). Points were prevalent in the paint as UNA scored 12 of the 25 points from inside, and the defense made it tough, forcing Cumberland into 38.5 percent shooting from the field (5-13). Gallegos was the spark plug on offense in the first, leading with eight in the period.
SECOND QUARTER: UNA 45, CU 18
North Alabama went into halftime with a 27-point lead, scoring another 20 points in the frame while the defense continued to make things difficult for the visitors. The Lions forced the Phoenix into 21.4 percent shooting in the second, also only allowing one three on six attempts. UNA had quick hands in the lane as well, taking four steals in the quarter which led to eight fast-break points. Eight Lions scored in the quarter, sharing the offensive load as UNA extended its lead with 20 more minutes to go.
THIRD QUARTER: UNA 69, CU 33
UNA finished with its third consecutive quarter scoring over 20 points, using an efficient shooting performance towards another strong offensive period. Gallegos and Ceppellotti were the top scorers in the quarter, both scoring five points and leading another balanced scoring affair. The two were part of seven Lion scorers in the quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER: UNA 87, CU 48
The final quarter saw more freshman contributions with the game coming to a close, as freshmen Chrishunti Walker and Ceppellotti closed the evening bout on a high note. Walker scored her first collegiate points in the fourth, securing her first basket on a post layup with three free throws to add. Ceppellotti continued her scoring en route to four more points.
UP NEXT
North Alabama will embark on its third road trip in four games Sunday, Dec. 1, traveling to Arkansas to take on Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 3 p.m.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
