LOUISVILLE, Ky. (February 24, 2024) – In the race for an Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament berth, the University of North Alabama men's basketball team fell 82-70 against Bellarmine on Saturday at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Ky.

Needing a win to stay alive, Bellarmine defended home court and avenged its loss to UNA back in January with a desperation victory, improving to 4-10 in league play. Meanwhile, North Alabama drops its third-straight game, but remains in good shape to earn a spot in the ASUN tournament with a 7-8 league record.

Heading into the final week, UNA is currently sixth in the conference standings and need to remain in the top 10 in order to clinch a tournament berth. There is still much on the line for North Alabama next week, as the top six seeds automatically advance to the ASUN Quarterfinal.

The Lions used a balanced attack and led 38-37 at the half, but Bellarmine scored 45 second-half points to pull ahead. The game was tied at 65-65 with 5:52 remaining, but the Knights used a 6-0 run to get some breathing room. A jumper by Josiah Fulcher pulled UNA back within two at the 3:23 mark, but Bellarmine finished on an 11-1 run to ice it.

Junior Will Soucie led the Lions with 17 points on 4-8 shooting from the floor and a perfect 8-8 showing at the free throw line. For the season, Soucie is now shooting 38-40 from the charity stripe for 95 percent.

Fulcher scored a season-high 15 points off the bench, while graduate forward Tim Smith Jr. and true freshman guard Canin Jefferson added nine apiece — including seven in the first half for Jefferson. Senior Damian Forrest led UNA with 12 rebounds while chipping in five points.

Bellarmine had five scorers in double-figures, led by 18 points from Ben Johnson. Johnson had the three-pointer with 3:02 remaining that allowed Bellarmine to go ahead by two possessions for good.

With ASUN implications on the line, the Lions will conclude the regular season at Central Arkansas on Friday, March 1. Tipoff from Conway is set for 6:30 p.m.

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