FLORENCE, Ala. (February 19, 2025) – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team preps for a two-game slate in CB&S Bank Arena, welcoming the Lipscomb Bisons and FGCU Eagles.
Playing in "The Bank" for the first time since Feb. 1, the Lions return after four games on the road to face two of the best in the Atlantic Sun Conference. North Alabama opens against third-place Lipscomb in the second meeting of the season, while first-place FGCU makes the trip after two-straight series meetings in Fort Myers.
The matchups also see UNA facing potential postseason opponents in next month's ASUN Conference Championship, with all three teams having clinched a spot in the tournament. North Alabama secured its berth in the tournament last time out against West Georgia.
The Lions face the Bisons on Thursday, Feb. 20 while set to take on FGCU on Saturday, Feb. 22. Both games are slated to tipoff at 6 p.m.
The games will be streamed on ESPN+ with AJ Good and Matt Daniels on the call and Chase Glover as the sideline reporter against Lipscomb. "Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray and Bryan Neece will be on call against FGCU. Saturday's game will also air on WLX Radio with AJ Good on commentary. Fans can listen on 98.3 or 103.5 FM in the Shoals or worldwide on the WLX App or website. The "Countdown to Tipoff" radio show begins Saturday at 5:40 p.m.
Due to ongoing construction, the basketball parking plan will be revised for the 2024-25 season. Lots A and B will be in the parking lot directly below Flowers Hall. Lot A pass holders will have coned off spots near the staircase. Shuttles will be available to take fans up to the field house lot for entry into CB&S Bank Arena.
Lot C parking will be in the parking lot below the Mitchell Burford Science and Technology Building. Residential Students will have access into Lot C with their hang tags. The public can also park in this lot for $12. Parking at the Bill Jones athletic complex will be unavailable. However, this lot is available as a drop off area near the arena.
GAME 1 INFO
Game: North Alabama vs. Lipscomb
Date: Thursday, February 20
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Florence, Ala.
Venue: CB&S Bank Arena (Flowers Hall)
Promotions: MVP Night/Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night/International Night
Game Sponsor: TriGreen Equipment
Watch: ESPN+ (AJ Good, Matt Daniels and Chase Glover)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Social Media: @UNAwbb
GAME 2 INFO
Game: North Alabama vs. FGCU
Date: Saturday, February 22
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Florence, Ala.
Venue: CB&S Bank Arena (Flowers Hall)
Promotions: Pink Out/Women of Influence Night/Girl Scout Night/Cheer & Dance Senior Night
Watch: ESPN+ ("Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray and Bryan Neece)
Listen: WLX 98.3 / 103.5 FM (AJ Good)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Social Media: @UNAwbb
NOTES
LAST TIME OUT: North Alabama concluded a four-game road swing last time out, falling short to the West Georgia Wolves, 62-53. Despite the loss, the Lions clinched postseason play with a berth in the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament. Junior forward India Howard also achieved a career milestone by surpassing 500 rebounds for her collegiate career.
SCOUTING THE LIONS: CB&S Bank Arena has been a tough place for opponents to play in, with North Alabama holding an 8-3 record in home games this season. In six conference games played at home, the Lions own a 5-1 record and have outscored opponents 439-378. Charity Gallegos has led in scoring and assists with 15.3 PPG and 4.5 APG averages, while India Howard has averaged a near double-double with averages of 10.3 PPG and 9.8 RPG.
SCOUTING LIPSCOMB: Lipscomb opens the week against North Alabama, getting set for a two-game roadtrip against the Lions and Austin Peay. The Bisons are 16-9 on the season while 9-5 in ASUN play, with Lipscomb third in the standings behind leaders FGCU and second-place Central Arkansas. The Bisons have also already clinched a spot in the ASUN Championship in March.
SERIES HISTORY: The 29th all-time meeting, North Alabama and Lipscomb are set to meet with the Bisons leading, 20-8. Lipscomb won the first meeting on January 25, with the Lions looking for its first win over the Bisons since the 2021-22 season.
SCOUTING FGCU: The Eagles cap their week in Florence, visiting CB&S Bank Arena for the first time in two seasons. The Preseason ASUN Media and Coaches Poll favorites, FGCU leads the ASUN Conference with a 23-3 record overall and 14-0 record in league play. The Eagles also will be playing postseason basketball with FGCU already securing its berth in the ASUN Tournament in March. The Eagles are led by first-year head coach Chelsea Lyles.
SERIES HISTORY: The Lions and Eagles meet for the 14th time in series history. FGCU leads 12-1, with the lone UNA win coming on Feb. 29, 2020, in a 61-55 road win over the then No. 23 Eagles. FGCU has won the previous six meetings.
BOUND FOR REBOUNDS: The Lions leads the Atlantic Sun Conference in total rebounds, averaging 39.5 per game. North Alabama is also third in both defensive rebounds (27.4 per game) and rebounding margin (+4.0). UNA's effort on the glass defensively ranks within the top 50 teams nationally, ranking 50th in defensive rebounds. India Howard (7.3 per game), Jazzy Klinge (6.1) and Alyssa Clutter (5.3) all rank in the top 25 in ASUN rebounding.
LEADERBOARD LIONS: North Alabama is among the top ASUN teams in three-point field-goal percentage and blocked shots. UNA ranks second in three-point percentage (34.1 percent) while third in blocked shots, averaging three per game.
THE SECOND UNIT: The Lions enter the week as one of the best teams in scoring from the second unit. North Alabama is ranked first in the conference in bench points per game, averaging 25.4 across 24 games. UNA is also ranked near the top 25 in the NCAA, ranking 32nd nationally in bench scoring.
THE BLOCK LIST: Three Lions rank among the top shot blockers in India Howard, Cameron Jones and Jazzy Klinge. Howard is third in the league with 1.4 per game, with Jones tied for 13th at 0.7 and Klinge at 0.5 to tie for 21st.
DOUBLE TROUBLE: North Alabama has had two players finish with double-doubles on the season in Howard and Clutter. Howard has four on the season, recently adding two more against Stetson and North Florida. The junior averaged 10 points and 14 rebounds in the two games against the Hatters and Ospreys. Clutter has two on the season with a 14-point, 11-rebound outing at Arkansas-Pine Bluff and 17 points and 17 rebounds at Bellarmine.
CHARITY'S CASE: Charity Gallegos leads North Alabama in scoring, averaging 13.7 points per game to rank eighth in the ASUN. Gallegos has also been the primary playmaker for the Lions, averaging the fourth-most assists in the ASUN with 4.0 per game. She was named the ASUN Conference's Player and Newcomer of the Week on Dec. 30, 2024 after a 25-7-7 stat line against Bethel. Gallegos earned her 1,500th career point in the Lions' home win versus Queens on Jan. 30.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
