FLORENCE, Ala. (December 4, 2024) – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team is set for a Thursday matchup in CB&S Bank Arena, returning home to host the Samford Bulldogs on Dec. 5.
The Lions come back to the friendly confines of the Shoals following a 62-48 road win on Sunday at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Lions will seek their third straight win on Thursday, as well as their third straight home win. UNA will also look to beat Samford for a second straight season after last year's 69-64 win in Birmingham.
Thursday's game will be North Alabama's annual "Toy Drive" game, where fans are encouraged to bring toys in support of Bank Independent's Toy Share Drive.
The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with "Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray and Matt Daniels on the call and Chase Glover sideline reporting. 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 5:40 p.m.
Tickets 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. Samford
Date: Thursday, December 5
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Florence, Ala.Venue: CB&S Bank Arena (Flowers Hall)
Promotions: Faith & Family Night, Toy Drive, CCA Performance
Watch: ESPN+ ("Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray, Matt Daniels, Chase Glover)
Listen: WLX 98.3 / 103.5 FM (Bryan Neece)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Tickets: Click here
Social Media: @UNAwbb
NOTES
LAST TIME OUT: The Lions picked up their second-straight win on Sunday, taking care of business on the road in a 62-48 win against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. In the first all-time meeting against the Golden Lions, North Alabama continued its trend of defense and rebounding to match its season-low of 48 points allowed.
COUNT ON CLUTTER: Junior Alyssa Clutter led the way against Arkansas-Pine Bluff with her fourth career double-double, leading the Lions with 14 points and 11 rebounds. It marked her first double-double of the season, with the last coming against Bellarmine on Jan. 18, 2024. She also finished with three assists and two steals against the Golden Lions.
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 rebounding, free throws and three-point shooting. The Lions average the second-most total rebounds with 41.1 per game, registering 288 on the season. UNA is third in the conference with a 73.7 percent team free-throw percentage, also coming in third with a 35.1 percent three-point percentage.
CHARITY MAKES A CASE: Senior guard Charity Gallegos continues to lead North Alabama in scoring, averaging 11.3 points per game while ranking 20th in the ASUN. Gallegos has also been the primary playmaker for the Lions, averaging the seventh-most assists in the ASUN with 3.4 per game. The senior makes two threes per game, tied for 10th in the conference.
HOWARD HEROICS: 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 1.1 per game with eight in seven 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. 2, she is 10th in blocked shots with five in seven games for a 0.7 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 9.2 points per game. She is also making her mark as one of the best free-throw shooters in the ASUN, ranking third at 90.9 percent.
SCOUTING THE LIONS: Rebounding has been a strong suit for North Alabama early in the season, ranking among the best in the conference so far. Their efforts on the glass is also among the top 75 teams in the country, ranking 54th in defensive rebounds per game (28.4) and 66th in rebounds per game. The Lions are also in the top 75 in three-point percentage and bench points per game, ranking 60th (35.1 percent) and 72nd (25.4 PPG), respectively.
SCOUTING SAMFORD: The Bulldogs enter the contest at 2-8 on the season, looking to snap a four-game skid. Playing in the Southern Conference (SoCon), Samford was picked to finish third in the conference preseason poll. The Bulldogs traveled to ASUN foe North Florida last time out, falling to the Ospreys, 79-71. Samford has two double-digit scorers in Emily Bowman and Kennedy Langham, registering 12.7 and 10.4 points per game respectively. Leading the Bulldogs is sixth-year head coach Carley Kuhns.
SERIES HISTORY: Samford and North Alabama meet for the fifth all-time meeting with the Bulldogs leading the series, 3-1. The Lions nabbed their first all-time win in a 69-64 road victory on Dec. 19, 2023.
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.
