NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 25, 2025) – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team dropped a hard-fought game on the road in Nashville, falling to the Lipscomb Bisons 85-76 in Allen Arena.
Capping a two-game road swing against Atlantic Sun Conference foes in Tennessee, North Alabama (9-10, 4-4 ASUN) overcame a slow start in the first half to give Lipscomb (13-6, 6-2 ASUN) a battle in the final two quarters.
The Lions shot 41.9 percent in the first two quarters but improved with a 57.6 percent second-half on the strength of third-quarter performances from sophomores Chloe Siegel and Katie Criswell with junior India Howard. Senior Charity Gallegos came alive offensively in the fourth period, scoring a team-high seven points, but the Bisons' efficient and timely scoring made the difference.
Criswell had herself a game with a career-high afternoon, scoring 21 points on 10-16 shooting. The Lawrence County, Tenn. native felt right at home with the efficient outing, also securing three rebounds and one block.
Four Lions tied for second in scoring with eight points, led by Siegel's massive third quarter along with contributions from juniors Jazzy Klinge, Alyssa Clutter and India Howard.
Klinge was two points and rebounds away from a double-double, finishing with eight points and eight rebounds against the Bisons. Clutter was also close to nabbing her third double-double of the season, registering an eight-point, nine rebound game. Howard only needed 11 minutes to secure her eight points and five rebounds.
Howard, Clutter and Criswell led with a block each on the afternoon, while graduate Sara Wohlgemuth had the most active hands with a team-high three steals.
HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST QUARTER: LIP 18, UNA 13
Lipscomb's shooting gave the Bisons the early advantage, leading 18-8 at one point, but Criswell's five points along with two each from four Lions cut the lead down heading into the second period. North Alabama made their mark in paint points to begin play, scoring 12 of its 13 from inside.
SECOND QUARTER: LIP 35, UNA 31
The Lions outscored the Bisons, 18-17, heading into the halftime break, cutting the deficit to four with a strong second quarter. Lipscomb scored the first basket of the period, but North Alabama answered back with a 7-2 run to cut the Bisons lead to 22-20. The back-and-forth period saw the Lions trail by one at two separate points of the quarter, using seven points from junior Emma Kate Tittle and six from Criswell to spark the UNA offense. Tittle's three to close the quarter sent the Lions into the break with momentum.
THIRD QUARTER: LIP 59, UNA 56
The second half began with another positive quarter for the Lions, who outscored the Bisons, 25-24 to cut it to three. Offensively, North Alabama was lights out from the field, shooting 66.7 percent (10-15) from the field while nailing two threes in the period. Chloe Siegel made her mark on the game with a sensational scoring period, securing eight points for the Lions including six from behind the arc. Katie Criswell continued impacting the game on offense with six points, and India Howard, who did not play in the first half, got right to work six points and four rebounds in the quarter. North Alabama's bench also came up huge 14 points in the period.
FOURTH QUARTER: LIP 85, UNA 76
North Alabama's offense had a second-straight 20-plus point quarter in the fourth, but an offensive surge for Lipscomb proved the difference-maker. Both teams traded baskets to begin the period, then the Bisons went on an 8-4 run to extend their lead to 70-60 at the media timeout. Charity Gallegos's seven points in the final period led the way with the Lions continuing to fight, but Lipscomb's offense used timely shots to halt UNA's comeback.
UP NEXT
North Alabama is back at home in CB&S Bank Arena for its next two contest, opening the week against Queens on Jan. 30 before taking on West Georgia on Feb. 1.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
