FLORENCE, Ala. (November 7, 2025) – It was a special night full of championship celebrations on Friday inside CB&S Bank Arena, as the University of North Alabama men's basketball team capped the night with a 90-84 win over Lane College in UNA's home opener.
Prior to the game, UNA hosted a "Night of Champions" event that featured a banner unveiling and ring ceremony for the 2025 Atlantic Sun Conference Regular Season Championship, as well as a court naming in honor of Coach Gary Elliott, who led the Lions to the 1991 NCAA Division II National Championship and is a member of the UNA Athletic Hall of Fame.
The Lions (1-1) had to fight off a strong shooting night from their opponent, but powered through with 51 second half points. Redshirt junior
Corneilous Williams was instrumental in that surge with a team-high 22 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.
Three other Lions notched double-digit scoring, including sophomore
Kevin de Kovachich with 18 points and five assists. Originally from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, this was a special night for de Kovachich beyond his performance and his ring ceremony. His mother drove all the way from Canada and surprised him about 10 hours before the game.
Seniors
Donte Bacchus and
Dallas Howell combined for 26 points, including 16 from Bacchus. Bacchus also had nine rebounds for a near-double-double. Williams, Bacchus and Howell also combined for nine of the team's 15 assists.
Lane (0-0), who was playing an exhibition to open the season, led 41-39 at halftime. The Lions began to surge ahead midway through the second half despite efficient shooting from the Dragons. Lane finished over 50 percent from the field (28-55) and behind the arc (14-27) and over 90 percent from the line (16-17).
UNA combated the shooting by going 30-62 from the field for 48.4 percent, including a 46-26 scoring advantage in the paint. Despite a slow night from behind the arc, UNA found its way to the free throw line early and often and went 24-36 for 66.7 percent.
Lane was led by Elijah Lewis with a game-high 31 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half: The Lions led for most of the first half despite quite a few lead changes, but Lane snatched a 41-39 lead heading into the break. Both teams were making baskets, but the Lions were out of rhythm behind the arc on just 2-14 shooting. Using crafty and powerful paint play, Williams and Bacchus combined for 20 points in the first half to keep pace.
Second Half: UNA began to pull away early in the second half, going on an 18-4 run over about six minutes to start the new frame. The momentum shift began with back-to-back triples from de Kovachich and Howell at the 17:32 mark, then another from de Kovachich less than a minute later. Williams followed him with a layup to make it 55-45 — the first double-digit lead for either side. UNA went on another 10-0 run that ended at the 8:22 mark, then stayed ahead by at least two possessions the rest of the way. Both teams shot over 50 percent in the half, but UNA went 17-22 from the line in the second half to ice it.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- The Lions improved to 32-4 in non-conference home games under Tony Pujol.
- UNA is now 21-0 against non-Division I teams under Pujol.
- This marks the 16th straight home opening win for the Lions, including an 8-0 record under Pujol.
- UNA had a 46-26 advantage in the paint, but Lane countered with a 25-13 advantage on fast breaks.
- Lane got 56 points from its bench. UNA had 16, led by Braylon Patton and DarKaun King with five apiece.
- Three Lions scored for the first time inside CB&S Bank Arena, including Patton, junior transfer Kedar Bodie with four points and true freshman Cortez Graham-Howard with two on a first-half dunk.
- UNA led for 30:49 of game time. Lane only led for 4:33.
- The Lions had six dunks — five from Williams.
- 6 — This is the number of free boneless wings that fans can retrieve at the Buffalo Wild Wings location in Florence after every UNA win with the purchase of six wings. Fans are encouraged to show their ticket or the social media graphic to retrieve the offer.
- 80 —Any time the Lions score 80 or more points, fans who attended the game can go to Rosie's Cantina in Downtown Florence to get a free cup of queso. Fans must show proof of attendance to retrieve.
- 60 — Any time the Lions score 60 or more points, fans can head to Culver's on Cloverdale Road to retrieve a free single scoop of custard by using the online code "CUSTARD4LIONS" as part of the "Swish for a Dish" promotion.
COMING UP NEXT
The Lions continue a three-game home stand next week with games against a pair of formidable mid-major opponents — Northwestern State and ETSU. The Northwestern State game is set for Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
