FLORENCE, Ala. (December 5, 2024) – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team battled the Samford Bulldogs into an overtime period but fell in a narrow 67-61 result Thursday night in CB&S Bank Arena.
The Lions (4-4) evened their overall record in the outing, also dropping its first home contest of the season after a 2-0 start. The fifth all-time meeting was a battle for four quarters, eventually needing an extra period to determine the winner. North Alabama kept it close, but the Bulldogs (3-8) overcame a second-half UNA rally to pick up their third win of the season.
Both teams had a fast start to the game, scoring 17 points each in a first-quarter stalemate. Samford had a better offensive quarter in the second, building a 33-27 halftime lead. North Alabama came alive in the third with 16 points in the quarter, leading to a fourth quarter battle that saw the Lions outscore the Bulldogs, 13-9.
A go-ahead three by junior Sarang West put UNA ahead late in the final period, but Samford's Kennedy Langham tied things up with 26 seconds to go. UNA had the last shot of regulation, but a three by West was just off the mark.
The Bulldogs defense slowed down the Lions offense in the extra period, scoring 11 of the 16 overtime points.
Despite the loss, North Alabama led in rebounding for the sixth time in eight games with a 46-43 differential against Samford. Juniors India Howard and Alyssa Clutter both secured double-digit rebounds with 11 and 10, respectively, and junior Jazzy Klinge had six rebounds and senior Charity Gallegos added five rebounds for solid contributions.
Gallegos and junior Emma Kate Tittle finished in double figures with 14 and 13 points, respectively. Sophomore Katie Criswell was third in scoring with eight points. Junior Sarang West and graduate Sara Wohlgemuth chipped in with six points.
Howard had five assists to lead the team in both assists and rebounds. Criswell had the lone North Alabama steal, and Howard, Tittle and Clutter secured a block each.
HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST QUARTER: UNA 17, SAM 17
The first period provided plenty of action, as the two teams played to a stalemate to start. Both the Lions and Bulldogs had solid shooting numbers, with UNA shooting 50 percent from the floor and Samford hitting 44.4 percent of its shots. Tittle had her shot going early, leading the Lions in scoring with eight points in the quarter on 57.1 percent shooting. Criswell and Gallegos also contributed in the scoring department a combined nine points.
SECOND QUARTER: SAM 33, UNA 27
Period two saw the Bulldogs take the advantage, using another solid shooting quarter to gain the lead. Samford shot 46.2 percent from the field, while also using defense by holding the Lions to 23.5 percent shooting. UNA spread out the offensive contributions with Tittle, Gallegos, Howard and Charlton scoring in the quarter.
THIRD QUARTER: SAM 47, UNA 43
Both teams shot 5-16 from the field in the third frame, but the Lions gained some momentum with a 16-14 scoring differential. The difference came in the defensive department, as UNA forced the Bulldogs into four turnovers while holding Samford to 2-8 shooting from three and 2-4 from the line. Solid free-throw shooting from the Lions (4-5) along with balanced scoring set up a decisive fourth quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER: UNA 56, SAM 56
Three-point and free-throw shooting gave the Lions enough spark on offense to tie the game and head into overtime. It was a defensive quarter for both teams, combining for 7-30 shooting while 4-12 from deep, but UNA made four shots to Samford's three and three free-throws to the Bulldog's one. North Alabama came on late with a 7-2 run in the final three minutes, including a go-ahead three from West to put the Lions up 56-54. The Bulldogs tied on the ensuing possession, and a missed three-pointer from West with time expiring sent the game into the extra period.
OVERTIME: SAM 67. UNA 61
The Bulldogs had an efficient 50 percent shooting performance from the floor, leading to the overtime win on the road. Samford's Kennedy Langham led the Bulldogs with eight points, also using a key block in the period to hold North Alabama's offense in check. Gallegos and Tittle scored three and two respective quarter points but would not be enough en route to the Samford win.
UP NEXT
North Alabama takes a nearly two-week hiatus before returning to CB&S Bank Arena on Dec. 17 versus Alabama A&M. First tip against the Bulldogs is set for 6 p.m.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
