FLORENCE, Ala. (January 4, 2025) – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team defeated the Jacksonville Dolphins,73-57, in the home Atlantic Sun Conference opener Saturday afternoon from CB&S Bank Arena.
North Alabama (7-6, 2-0 ASUN) continued its positive start in ASUN play, nabbing its second-straight conference victory. Jacksonville (6-8, 0-2 ASUN) came out fast, but a strong second quarter flipped the script and sent UNA into halftime with all the momentum. North Alabama outscored the Dolphins 26-9, using two big runs to regain and eventually keep the lead.
The third quarter saw the Lions hold down the defensive end, limiting Jacksonville to 10 third-quarter point while continuing to thrive with 19 points scored in the period. The Lions cruised the rest of the way.
Today marks the third straight win for UNA, including the second straight at home. UNA also extends it win streak over Jacksonville, marking a seventh-straight triumph over the Dolphins.
After a career night against Bellarmine last time out, senior Charity Gallegos led the day with a game-high 20 points. The guard closes the week out with a second-straight 20+ point performance, also adding six rebounds, four assists and a steal.
Junior India Howard registered a 11-point, 14-rebound double-double, finishing with the game high in rebounds. Howard secured her second double-double of the season, tying for the team lead with junior Alyssa Clutter.
Sophomore Katie Criswell and junior Emma Kate Tittle rounded out the four double-digit scorers for UNA, finishing with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Howard led in rebounding, while Clutter and junior Jazzy Klinge had a solid day on the boards with seven each. Klinge also led with a game-high five assists, while Howard tied the game high with two blocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST QUARTER: JAX 25, UNA 19
Scoring runs defined the opening quarter, with Jacksonville ending the period hot to gain early momentum. The Dolphins started with an 8-2 advantage, but the Lions answered back to eventually tie the game. North Alabama responded with a big run of its own, outscoring Jacksonville 11-3 to take an eight point lead. Jacksonville caught fire offensively with its second run and ended the quarter with a 14-0 run to retake the lead. The Dolphins ended the period shooting 52.9 percent from the floor (9-17) with Jacksonville also shooting 60 percent from deep (3-5) and 100 percent from the line (4-4). UNA also went 5-5 from the line.
SECOND QUARTER: UNA 45, JAX 34
A 26-point quarter for the Lions ended the half on a high note, with North Alabama able to retake the lead from the strong quarter. After opening the game with 37.5 percent shooting in the first, UNA improved to 58.8 percent from the field while shooting 57.1 percent from three. North Alabama began the period with 9-2 run before ending with a 17-2 run. Junior Emma Kate Tittle and sophomore Katie Criswell combined for 17 of the 26 points for the Lions, as Tittle led with nine followed by eight from Criswell. UNA also improved in the rebounding department, ending the quarter with a 14-5 advantage after trailing the Dolphins 10-8 in the first.
THIRD QUARTER: UNA 64, JAX 44
Efficient offense and team defense led the way toward another strong quarter for the Lions. UNA held the Dolphins to a second-straight 4-15 shooting quarter, also limiting Jacksonville to a second-straight quarter with no made threes. Charity Gallegos nearly outscored Jacksonville in the quarter by herself with eight points. The Lions also continued its strong free-throw shooting, going 5-6 in the quarter to bring the game total to 12-13 (92.3 percent).
FOURTH QUARTER: UNA 73, JAX 57
After a high-scoring first three quarters, only 22 points were scored by both teams combined. North Alabama made shots when it mattered most, equaling the Dolphins with four field goals in the fourth quarter. India Howard scored four of her 11 points in the period, leading the scoring for the Lions while securing her double-double to cap the contest.
UP NEXT
The Lions continue conference play in CB&S Bank Arena next time out, welcoming the Austin Peay Governors on Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 6 p.m.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
