DENVER, Colo. (December 20, 2024) – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team will cap its last road matchup of 2024 in Colorado, taking on the Denver Pioneers on Saturday, Dec. 21.
The Lions return to action for their second contest of the week, traveling over 1,000 miles for the second all-time meeting against the Pioneers. UNA looks to snap a two-game skid in previous matchups against Samford and Alabama A&M while in search of the first win over Denver in series history.
The contest tips off from Hamilton Gymnasium at 1 p.m. CT, with tickets available for purchase on RoarLions.com. Live stats will be provided courtesy of SIDEARM, and the game will be streamed on the Summit League Network.
The game will also air on WLX Radio with the "Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray 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 12:40 p.m. CT.
Box scores and a recap will be posted on RoarLions.com following the action, but fans can follow along in real time on the UNA Women's Basketball social media pages.
GAME INFO
Game: North Alabama at Denver
Date: Saturday, December 21
Time: 1 p.m. CT (Noon MT)
Location: Denver, Colo.
Venue: Hamilton Gymnasium
Watch: Summit League Network
Listen: WLX 98.3 / 103.5 FM ("Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray)
Live Stats: SIDEARM Live Stats
Tickets: Click here
Social Media: @UNAwbb
NOTES
LAST TIME OUT: North Alabama fell in a tightly-contested game on Tuesday, Dec. 17, narrowly dropping an 80-77 result to the Alabama A&M Bulldogs. UNA had a second-half comeback fall short despite double-digit scoring efforts from senior Charity Gallegos and juniors Emma Kate Tittle, Sarang West and Alyssa Clutter.
SCOUTING THE LIONS: It was another solid rebounding night for the Lions last time out, adding to UNA's early season dominance on the boards. North Alabama grabbed 41 rebounds against the Bulldogs, on par with its team average of 41.7 total rebounds per game. The Lions are first in the Atlantic Sun Conference in total rebounds and offensive rebounds (13.3 per game), while also coming in third in defensive rebounds (28.3 per game). UNA's effort on the glass is also among the top 50 teams in the country, ranking 47th in rebounds per game. UNA is just outside the top 50 in defensive rebounds per game at 53rd.
SCOUTING DENVER: The Pioneers are an even 6-6 on the season, coming off a win this past Wednesday versus Western Colorado last time out. Playing in the Summit League, the Pioneers were picked to finish sixth in the conference and are currently sixth in the standings based on overall record. Denver is led in scoring by Jordan Jones, a Preseason All-Summit League First Team selection who is averaging 20.3 PPG. The head coach of the Pioneers is Doshia Woods.
SERIES HISTORY: North Alabama and Denver are meeting for the second time in the series history. The Pioneers took the first-ever matchup in CB&S Bank Arena last season, nabbing a 67-51 victory on the road.
LIONS ON THE BOARDS: In addition to rebounding, North Alabama is among the top three ASUN teams in opponent three-point percentage, team three-point percentage and team assists. The Lions are second in limiting opponent three-point shots (27.5 percent per game) while third with a 33.7 percent three-point percentage and 14.89 assists per game.
DOUBLE TROUBLE: North Alabama has had two players finish with double-doubles on the season in Clutter and junior India Howard. Howard nabbed the first double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds against Cumberland, with Clutter following with a 14-point, 11-rebound outing at Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
CHARITY'S CASE: Senior guard Charity Gallegos leads North Alabama in scoring, averaging 11.4 points per game while ranking 16th in the ASUN. Gallegos has also been the primary playmaker for the Lions, averaging the fourth-most assists in the ASUN with 3.9 per game. Gallegos secured a game-high nine assists against Alabama A&M – her highest single-game total for North Alabama and one shy of her tying career high.
HOWARD HOLDS IT DOWN: Junior India Howard has had a solid start on the defensive end, enforcing the paint with her knack for blocking shots. Howard is sixth in the ASUN in blocks, averaging one per game with nine in nine games.
KATIE'S KEEN ON DEFENSE: Another conference leader in the ASUN, sophomore Katie Criswell has provided rim protection from the guard position. As of Dec. 19, she remains 13th in blocked shots with five in eight games for a 0.6 per game average.
SUPER CAM: Junior Cameron Jones is having a career year in her third season, with the Broadview Heights, Ohio native averaging a career-high 8.5 points per game. She is also career year from the free-throw line, ranking fifth in the conference shooting at 80.8 percent.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
