FLORENCE, Ala. (January 29, 2025) – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team welcomes the Queens Royals on Thursday night for a 6 p.m. contest in CB&S Bank Arena.
Thursday's game is the second-annual "Swiftie Night," which will include Taylor Swift-themed promotions throughout the evening.
The Lions are set for a two-game home stand in "The Bank" after winning the last two home games against Stetson and North Florida. North Alabama is 6-3 in home games this season, with three of those wins coming in Atlantic Sun Conference play. UNA hosts the Royals before turning its attention to West Georgia this Saturday, Feb. 1.
The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with "Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray and Matt Daniels on the call and Chase Glover as the sideline reporter. 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.
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. Queens
Date: Thursday, January 30
Time: 6 p.m. CT
Location: Florence, Ala.
Venue: CB&S Bank Arena (Flowers Hall)
Promotions: Swiftie Night; Purple Out - Coke T-shirts
Game Sponsor: Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc.
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
NOTES
LAST TIME OUT: North Alabama embarked on a Tennessee roadtrip last week, facing the Austin Peay Governors and Lipscomb Bisons on Jan. 23 and Jan. 25. The Lions look to get back in the win column after falling to the Govs, 71-60, and the Bisons, 85-76.
SCOUTING THE LIONS: Well into conference play, the Lions have made their mark in rebounding and blocked shots. UNA has three players ranking in the top 25 of both categories in the ASUN, with India Howard and Jazzy Klinge among the top 20 leaders in both rebounding and blocked shots. Alyssa Clutter also ranks among the top rebounders in the conference, while Katie Criswell has proven to be a viable option in blocked shots from the guard position.
SCOUTING QUEENS: The Royals open its weekend against the Lions, entering the matchup 7-12 overall while 1-7 in the ASUN. Queens looks to gaining its second win in ASUN play, last time out falling in an 83-76 contest to Jacksonville. Prior to the Jacksonville matchup, the Royals defeated North Florida in an 84-81 overtime win on the road. Currently 11th in the conference standings, Queens was picked to finish 11th in the Preseason ASUN Coaches' Poll and 12th in the Media Poll. The Royals are led by Jen Brown in her fifth season with the team.
SERIES HISTORY: UNA leads the all-time series, 2-0. The Lions defeated the Royals, 72-58, in the first meeting on Feb. 9, 2023 and followed up with a 75-71 win in the last meeting on Jan. 27, 2024.
THE SECOND UNIT: 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 26.3 across 19 games. UNA is also ranked among the top 25 in the NCAA, ranking 25th nationally in bench scoring.
BOUND FOR REBOUNDS: The Lions are first in the Atlantic Sun Conference in total rebounds, averaging 40.8 per game. North Alabama also holds the top spot in rebounding margin (+6.6) and defensive rebounds (28.1 per game). UNA's effort on the glass is also among the top 50 teams nationally, ranking 32nd in rebounds per game and 41st in defensive rebounds per game. India Howard (7.1 per game), Jazzy Klinge (5.9) and Alyssa Clutter (5.7) all rank in the top 20 in ASUN rebounding ranks.
THE BLOCK LIST: In addition to rebounding, North Alabama is among the top ASUN teams in blocked shots. The Lions average 3.11 per game, with India Howard (1.4 per game), Jazzy Klinge (0.5) and Katie Criswell (0.4) all ranking in the top 25 of the conference.
DOUBLE TROUBLE: North Alabama has had two players finish with double-doubles on the season in Howard and Clutter. Howard has four on the season, recently adding two more against Stetson and North Florida. The junior averaged 10 points and 14 rebounds in the two games against the Hatters and Ospreys. Clutter has two on the season with a 14-point, 11-rebound outing at Arkansas-Pine Bluff and 17 points and 17 rebounds at Bellarmine.
CHARITY'S CASE: Charity Gallegos leads North Alabama in scoring, averaging 13.1 points per game to rank 11th in the ASUN. Gallegos has also been the primary playmaker for the Lions, averaging the fifth-most assists in the ASUN with 3.8 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. The senior approaches a career milestone, needing 11 points to reach 1,500 points.
HOWARD HOLDS IT DOWN: Junior India Howard has had a knack for blocking shots, enforcing her defensive presence with 25 blocks in 18 games. She's currently fourth in the conference in the category with 1.4 blocks per game. Howard is also top 10 in rebounds in the conference, ranking ninth with 7.1 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 9.3 points per game and 4.9 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
