CONWAY, Ark. (February 12, 2025) – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team suffered a 73-52 defeat Wednesday night at the hands of the Central Arkansas Sugar Bears from the Farris Center in Conway, Ark.

Sophomore Katie Criswell and junior India Howard led in scoring for UNA with Criswell registering a team-high 13 points and Howard finishing with 10. Criswell also secured six rebounds, tied for the team-high with junior Jazzy Klinge, while adding two steals.

Howard led with two blocks for the Lions while also grabbing five rebounds. Senior Charity Gallegos dished seven assists for the team-high to round out North Alabama's stat leaders.

Central Arkansas (18-6, 12-1 ASUN) opened the contest with an early 19-13 advantage after the first quarter, as North Alabama (12-12, 7-6 ASUN) was able to make it a competitive affair early against the second place team in the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Lions forced the Sugar Bears into 7-18 shooting in the opening period, but the difference came from the three-point line as UCA converted 4-8 from three.

North Alabama held the Sugar Bears to only 2-7 from three in the second quarter, but Central Arkansas still took a 39-25 lead into halftime. Criswell had seven points in the half.

Despite the loss, North Alabama's best shooting quarter came in the fourth quarter, scoring 16 points while converting 8-14 from the field and shooting 57.1 percent.

The Lions cap the four-game road swing on Saturday, Feb. 15 in Carrollton, Ga. against the West Georgia Wolves at 1 p.m. CT.

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.