FLORENCE, Ala. (January 15, 2025) – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team is set for a two-game homestand this Thursday and Saturday in Atlantic Sun Conference action, taking on the Stetson Hatters and North Florida Ospreys inside CB&S Bank Arena.
North Alabama returns to Florence after its road trip to EKU, looking for its third win in conference play. The Lions start the week with the Hatters on Thursday, Jan. 16 before closing out the weekend on Saturday, Jan. 18 against the Ospreys. Both games are slated to begin at 6 p.m. in CB&S Bank Arena.
The games will be streamed on ESPN+ with "Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray and Matt Daniels on call and Chase Glover reporting from the sidelines. The games will also air on WLX Radio with Bryan Neece on commentary against Stetson and AJ Good on call against North Florida. 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 will begin for both games at 5:40 p.m.
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 1 INFO
Game: North Alabama vs. Stetson
Date: Thursday, January 16
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Florence, Ala.
Venue: CB&S Bank Arena (Flowers Hall)
Promotions: Little Lions Night; Lion Cup Night
Watch: ESPN+ ("Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray, Matt Daniels and Chase Glover)
Listen: WLX 98.3 / 103.5 FM (Bryan Neece)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Social Media: @UNAwbb
GAME 2 INFO
Game: North Alabama vs. North Florida
Date: Saturday, January 18
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Florence, Ala.
Venue: CB&S Bank Arena (Flowers Hall)
Promotions: Teacher Appreciation Night
Watch: ESPN+ ("Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray, Matt Daniels and Chase Glover)
Listen: WLX 98.3 / 103.5 FM (AJ Good)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Social Media: @UNAwbb
NOTES
LAST TIME OUT: North Alabama looks to rebound from Atlantic Sun Conference action last time out, falling at home to Austin Peay and on the road against EKU. The two defeats ended the Lions' perfect start in conference play, bringing their ASUN record to an even 2-2.
SCOUTING THE LIONS: The Lions enter the week as one of the best teams in scoring from the second unit. North Alabama is ranked first in the conference in bench points per game, averaging 26.6 across 15 games. UNA is also ranked among the top 50 in the NCAA, ranking 35th nationally in bench scoring. Key contributors from the bench include junior Jazzy Klinge (4.5 PPG), who also is second on the team with 5.5 rebounds. Junior Sarang West (4.3 PPG) led in scoring against EKU last time out, and junior Rhema Pegues (4.2 PPG) has a 58.8 field-goal percentage in four conference games.
SCOUTING STETSON: The Hatters begin their two-game weekend with the road matchup against the Lions. Stetson enters the weekend at 9-7 overall and 3-1 in the ASUN, with the Hatters coming off an 80-63 road win at North Florida. Stetson is in a log-jam for second in the ASUN along with Lipscomb, Central Arkansas and Austin Peay. Prior to the season, the Hatters were picked seventh in the ASUN Preseason Coaches' Poll but picked fourth in the ASUN Media Poll. Stetson is led by Lynn Bria in her 17th season.
SERIES HISTORY: North Alabama meets Stetson in the 14th all-time meeting. The Lions lead the series, 7-6. Stetson took the lone matchup during the 2023-24 season, 62-55, with UNA's last win coming in a 60-57 victory on January 14, 2023.
SCOUTING NORTH FLORIDA: The Ospreys conclude their two-game road swing with the matchup Saturday night in Florence. Entering the weekend, they look to secure their first win in conference play with a 4-13 overall record and 0-4 record in the ASUN. North Florida was picked ninth in both the ASUN Preseason Coaches and Media Poll. The Ospreys head coach in her second season is Erika Lambert.
SERIES HISTORY: The Lions and Ospreys meet in the 12th all-time meeting. UNA leads the series, 6-5. North Alabama goes for its fourth straight win against North Florida, with the last UNF win coming in the ASUN Tournament First Round on March 11, 2021.
CHARITY'S CASE: Charity Gallegos leads North Alabama in scoring, averaging 13.7 points per game to rank fifth 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. She was named the ASUN Conference's Player and Newcomer of the Week on Dec. 30, 2024 after a 25-7-7 stat line against Bethel.
BOUND FOR REBOUNDS: The Lions are first in the Atlantic Sun Conference in total rebounds, averaging 41.7 per game. North Alabama holds the top spot in rebounding margin (+6.3), is second in defensive rebounds (28.2 per game) and third in offensive rebounds (13.5 per game). UNA's effort on the glass is also among the top 50 teams nationally, ranking 31st in rebounds per game and 41st in defensive rebounds per game.
LEADERBOARD LIONS: In addition to rebounding, North Alabama is among the top three ASUN teams in free-throw percentage and blocks. The Lions are second in free-throw percentage at 73.3 percent and third in blocks with 3.13 per game.
DOUBLE TROUBLE: North Alabama has had two players finish with double-doubles on the season in juniors Alyssa Clutter and India Howard. Howard nabbed the first double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds against Cumberland. Clutter followed with a 14-point, 11-rebound outing at Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
HOWARD HOLDS IT DOWN: Junior India Howard has had a knack for blocking shots, enforcing her defensive presence with 21 blocks in 14 games. She's currently fourth in the conference in the category with 1.4 blocks per game.
SUPER CAM: Cameron Jones is having a career year in her third season, with the Broadview Heights, Ohio native averaging a career-high 9.7 points per game and 5.4 rebounds per game. Jones has set multiple single-game career highs on the season, including a 17-point performance against Denver and nine rebounds against both Nebraska and Bellarmine.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
