NORMAN, Okla. (November 14, 2025) – North Alabama Women's Basketball dropped its first contest of the season Friday morning in an 89-61 defeat to No. 6 Oklahoma in Norman, Okla.
The Lions' (3-1) first test of the season ended in defeat against one of the nation's best teams in the sixth-ranked Sooners (3-1). North Alabama opened with a solid first half performance, but a second-quarter Sooner surge led to Oklahoma taking the momentum into halftime.
The Sooners struck first with a 27-17 lead after the first quarter.
UNA answered with its strongest offensive period in second, but Oklahoma's 30-point quarter extended the lead to 57-33 halfway through. North Alabama shot 40 percent from the field hitting three threes in the second highlighted by sophomore Venla Ulander's seven points in the frame.
The Lions and Sooners played a nearly-even second half with UNA's defense holding Oklahoma to 28.6 percent shooting.
North Alabama started the half holding the Sooners to 5-19 shooting on 26.3 percent in the third. The defense continued to hold strong in the fourth, limiting Oklahoma to 5-16 shooting on 31.1 percent. UNA also outscored Oklahoma, 18-16, in the period led by five points each from senior India Howard and Ulander.
Three players scored in double-digits in senior Alexsandra Alvarado, Ulander and Howard. Alvarado secured her third-straight double-digit scoring game leading the way with 14 points. She continues to be lethal from range with 3-5 three-point shooting at 60 percent.
Ulander had a career day with 12 points on 5-9 shooting. The sophomore was efficient from the field and added two threes on 40 percent shooting. Howard was third in scoring with 10 points, securing her best offensive scoring performance of the young season.
Ten Lions finished with a rebound with three finishing with at least five. Freshman Gabby Jackson led the Lions with a season-high seven boards. Senior Alyssa Clutter was second with six, and Howard landed five rebounds for third.
It was team effort in the assists, steals and blocks department.
Eight Lions secured an assist led by two each from graduate Bukky Akinsola, junior Katie Criswell, freshman Greta Ramon, Jackson and Ulander. Five Lions landed one steal (senior Jazzy Klinge, Alvarado, Ramon, Jackson and Clutter) while five registered one block (junior Cameron McNamara, Klinge, Alvarado, Clutter and Ulander).
The Lions play Tennessee State in Nashville, Tenn. on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
