FORT MYERS, Fla. (December 31, 2025) – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team enters its Atlantic Sun Conference schedule this weekend with Jan. 1 and 3 bouts at FGCU and Stetson.
North Alabama starts conference play with its first Florida road trip of the campaign. The Lions open at FGCU on Thursday, Jan. 1 before taking on Stetson on Saturday, Jan. 3. Both contests are scheduled for tipoff at 1 p.m. CT.
North Alabama faces the Eagles in Alico Arena and plays the Hatters in the Insight Credit Union Arena at Edmunds Center.
Both games will be available for streaming on ESPN+ and will have live stats. Tickets for each game are available for purchase through each school's ticket office.
Full results and a recap will be posted on RoarLions.com following each game, but fans can also follow along in real time on the UNA Women's Basketball social media pages.
GAME 1 INFO
Game: North Alabama at FGCU
Date: Thursday, January 1
Time: 1 p.m. CT
Location: Fort Myers, Fla.
Venue: Alico Arena
Tickets: Click Here
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Social Media: @UNAwbb
GAME 2 INFO
Game: North Alabama at Stetson
Date: Saturday, January 3
Time: 1 p.m. CT
Location: DeLand, Fla.
Venue: Insight Credit Union Arena at Edmunds Center
Tickets: Click Here
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: SIDEARM
Social Media: @UNAwbb
NOTES
THE SEASON SO FAR: UNA enters ASUN play with a 5-6 record on the season. North Alabama began the season 3-0 for its best start since 2018-19. The Lions rolled to winning four of their first six games, including wins over long-time rivals West Alabama and Jacksonville State and additional wins over UT Martin, Fisk and in-state foe Samford.
SCOUTING UNA: The Lions' offense is led by a 38.3 percent shooting percentage. UNA 's defense limits opponents to 36.9 percent shooting. The team leads opponents in rebounding (450-438) with a significant advantage in assists (147-112). UNA also paces teams in offensive rebounding with a 144-128 advantage. The Lions lead opponents in quarter scoring for the first, second and third periods. North Alabama is 1-0 in overtime games.
SCOUTING FGCU: The Eagles open their conference slate with a 4-7 record. Early wins include a 70-59 win over Florida Atlantic and a 66-62 triumph over Stanford. Last time out, FGCU fell to Columbia, 63-44, on Dec. 29 in Alico Arena. FGCU was picked to finish first in the 2025-26 ASUN Preseason Media Poll and Coaches' Poll. The Eagles' leading scorer is Sinai Douglas at 10.5 points per game. Raina Harmon leads FGCU in her first season at the helm.
SERIES HISTORY: North Alabama will look for its second-ever win against FGCU in the series. This will be the 15th meeting. The lone UNA win came on February 29, 2020, in a 61-55 triumph over the nationally-ranked No. 23 Eagles.
SCOUTING STETSON: The Hatters are tied for fourth in the conference with a 7-4 record. Stetson won six of its opening eight games, including a 70-67 victory at UCF on Dec. 3. Stetson looks to open ASUN play with a victory after dropping a 77-45 away bout at Miami on Dec. 28. Stetson was picked to finish third in the 2025-26 ASUN Preseason Coaches' Poll and fifth in the Media Poll. Cameron Thomas leads the Hatters and the ASUN in scoring at 19.7 points per game. Lynn Bria serves as the head coach in her 18th season.
SERIES HISTORY: North Alabama and Stetson match up for the 15th time in the all-time series. The Lions lead, 8-6, and the last meeting resulted in a 75-57 UNA win in CB&S Bank Arena on Jan. 16, 2025.
RIGHT UP HER ALLEY: Alexsandra Alvarado averages 10.9 points per game, totaling a team-leading 120 points this season. She is additionally UNA's three-pointers made leader with 23. She is fifth in the ASUN in three-pointers made per game (2.1 per game) and 18th in the ASUN in scoring average. Defensively, Alvarado is tied for 14th in steals per game (1.4).
SOFIA SHINES: Sofia Ceppellotti has been having a breakout campaign in year two, averaging 11.6 points per game. She leads the team in scoring and rebounding average, accumulating 6.1 rebounds per game.
GABBY GETS IT!: Freshman Gabby Jackson is the team leader in total rebounds with 64 for a 5.8 average. She has had at least four rebounds in all but one game with a season-high 13 at Tennessee State on Nov. 19. The Kansas City, Mo. native is 14th in the ASUN in rebounds per game.
VENLA THE VERSATILE: Sophomore Venla Ulander has been making strides in her first season of action for UNA. She averages 5.7 points per game with the all-around forward playing efficient basketball on both sides of the floor. Ulander tallied her first career double-double on Dec. 7 against Samford, securing a team-high 21 points with 10 rebounds.
NOTHING EASY: North Alabama's Katie Criswell and India Howard rank in the ASUN's top 25 in blocked shots. Criswell leads the team with eight blocks, ranking her tied for 15th in the ASUN with 0.7 per game. Howard ranks tied for 20th with seven total at 0.6 per game.
LIONS ON THE BOARDS: North Alabama ranks third in the ASUN in total and offensive rebounds. They total 40.9 combined rebounds per game and 13.1 offensive, respectively. The Lions have had at least 40 rebounds seven times this season with a high of 51 on Nov. 6 vs. Fisk.
SECOND-UNIT STARS: UNA additionally ranks third in the bench points at 25.6 per game. Key contributors include Ulander (5.7 PPG) along with solid seniors India Howard (5.6) and Alyssa Clutter (4.8).
TOP TIER: In addition to ASUN ranks, the Lions are in the top 100 nationally in five categories. North Alabama ranks nationally per game in bench points (64th), defensive rebounds (66th/27.8), opponent field-goal percentage (72nd/36.9 percent), total rebounds (75th) and opponent three-point percentage (79th/27.6 percent).
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
