BIRMINGHAM (December 7, 2025) – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team earned a hard-fought overtime victory Sunday afternoon with a 68-66 triumph at Samford in Birmingham, Ala.
North Alabama (5-3) returned to its winning ways against an in-state rival, needing an extra period to gain the road win over Samford (4-8). The Lions started strong in the first half, jumping out to a double-digit lead thanks to second-quarter offensive explosion. The Bulldogs rallied back in the second half to cut the lead and eventually tie the game to send the contest into overtime.
Both teams had efficient offensive production in the extra period with the game coming down to the final possession. Graduate Bukky Akinsola all but secured the game with two free throws with one second to give the Lions the two-point advantage. UNA defended the final Samford possession en route to its fifth win of the season and the first on the road.
UNA now has two wins over Samford in the all-time series. The Lions have also won two of the last three over Samford — both on the road in Birmingham. The first win was a 69-64 victory on Dec. 19, 2023. This also avenges an overtime home loss to Samford from last season.
Sophomores Venla Ulander and Sofia Ceppellotti starred for the Lions with career outings against the Bulldogs.
Ulander led the scoring for UNA with a career-high 21 points on 80 percent shooting (8-10). Ulander also secured her first career double-double with 10 rebounds, tallying a team-high five offensive rebounds and five defensive.
Ceppellotti returned to the lineup from injury, picking back up where she left off in her strong start in her sophomore season.
The Ruda, Udine, Italy native joined Ulander with a double-double, scoring 19 points and a team-leading 13 rebounds. She was an efficient 50 percent from the field (7-14) while also hitting a trio of three-pointers.
Akinsola led the Lions with four assists, and freshman Greta Ramon tallied two steals. Ceppellotti, Akinsola and junior Katie Criswell rounds out UNA leaders with one block each.
The Lions have now won two straight overtime games. The last one came on Jan. 2, 2025 in last season's conference opener at Bellarmine — 90-89.
HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST QUARTER: UNA 12, SAM 12
The teams played to an even draw after the first period, both having solid defensive outings in a 12-12 opening quarter. The Lions held Samford to 23.1 percent shooting while forcing four turnovers – three resulting in UNA steals. Ceppellotti earned five points in the opening period, leading the way in scoring.
SECOND QUARTER: UNA 30, SAM 18
North Alabama's most efficient quarter in regulation came in the second. The Lions shot 57.1 percent from the field while hitting two threes at a solid 40 percent clip. Ulander carried the offensive load with seven points on a perfect 3-3 from the field. UNA's defense also continued to display results by holding Samford to 25 percent shooting (3-12 from the field) and 0-6 from three. The Lions scored the first 14 points of the quarter before the Bulldogs got on the board at the 4:03 mark. UNA held its advantage into halftime, leading by 12 points.
THIRD QUARTER: UNA 43, SAM 40
The Bulldogs' rally began in the third, but North Alabama held firm to lead after the third period. Samford outscored UNA, 22-13, in the frame while scoring at its most efficient rate in regulation (43.8 percent). Despite the rally, the Lions continued to receive production on offense from Ulander (six points) and Ceppellotti (five points) to maintain the advantage.
FOURTH QUARTER: UNA 54, SAM 54
Samford and North Alabama battled to the end of regulation, as neither team could separate in regulation. The Bulldogs held a 14-11 scoring advantage in the quarter to force overtime. Samford led by as many as four points in frame, but two quick scores from Ceppellotti tied the game at 49-49 with 2:39 remaining. Five points on both sides the rest of the way led to overtime.
OVERTIME: UNA 68, SAM 66
It was winning time for the Lions as an 83.3 percent team field-goal percentage helped see the matchup out in Birmingham. Criswell (five points), Akinsola (4), Ulander (3) and Ceppellotti (2) led the way on offense, going toe-to-toe with an efficient Samford offense who shot 50 percent in overtime. The ultimate turning point came with one second remaining in the contest. Akinsola was fouled driving the lane, securing two free throws in the process. She knocked both down and did not leave Samford enough time to attempt a viable shot.
UP NEXT
North Alabama continues its road swing on Sunday, Dec. 14 to face the South Alabama Jaguars at 2 p.m. in Mobile, Ala.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
