JACKSONVILLE (February 6, 2025) – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team began its two-game Florida road trip on a high note, securing a 73-68 victory on Thursday in Jacksonville versus the North Florida Ospreys.
Facing UNF for the second time this season, UNA swept the season series and earned its first road win since defeating Bellarmine on Jan. 2. North Alabama cruised in the opening half, but a determined North Florida team led a third quarter offensive surge in hopes of landing its first win in Atlantic Sun Conference play.
The Lions, trailing by two entering the fourth, led an efficient offensive attack to fend off the Ospreys' rally. North Alabama had a three-point barrage in the period, going 4-6 from behind the arc, and also used key defensive plays with three steals in the final minute. Late free throws secured the road win.
North Alabama won for the third-straight time in conference play, moving the Lions to 12-10 on the season and 7-4 in the ASUN. North Florida is still in search of its first ASUN win, with the Ospreys now 4-20 on the season with an 0-11 conference record.
Three Lions were in double-digits on the evening, with senior Charity Gallegos finishing with a game-high 25 points. The guard filled the stat sheet against the Ospreys with a game-high six assists and five rebounds.
Graduate Sara Wohlgemuth and sophomore Katie Criswell rounded out UNA's double-digit scorers, securing 14 and 10 points, respectively. Wohlgemuth was the second-leading rebounder for the Lions with six rebounds, and Criswell provided two clutch steals in the fourth to go with two assists in the contest.
Junior forward India Howard finished with a near double-double, recording nine points with a game-high 12 rebounds. Howard continues to show her dominance in paint defense with a game-high four blocks – tying her season high.
North Alabama finished with seven steals in the contest, led by three from junior Jazzy Klinge and two each from Howard and Criswell.
HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST QUARTER: UNA 22, UNF 15
The North Alabama offense started with an efficient opening period en route to the early advantage. The Lions shot 56.3 percent from the field to start, also hitting 40 percent of their three pointers (2-5) while 100 percent from the line (2-2). UNA's strong start resulted in a lead as large as 11 points (18 to 7), before North Florida closed the gap with eight points in the final four minutes. Charity Gallegos scored nine quick points in the opening period, while India Howard secured nearly half a double-double with six points and four rebounds.
SECOND QUARTER: UNA 35, UNF 27
Defense was the name of the game in quarter two, but a late offensive surge sent the Lions into halftime with an eight-point advantage. North Alabama did not score until the 6:21 mark, but finished with 13 points. Junior Kate Tittle led the late charge with six points off two three-pointers. UNA also had a 7-3 advantage in offensive rebounding, with five players securing at least one led by Sara Wohlgemuth (3).
THIRD QUARTER: UNF 55, UNA 53
North Florida scored a game-high 28 quarter points in the third, taking its first lead of the contest going into the fourth quarter. North Alabama led the way for majority of the period, holding a 13-point lead at 51-38 before the Ospreys ended the quarter with a 17-2 run. Despite North Florida's scoring run, North Alabama finished with 53.8 percent shooting percentages in the quarter while 40 percent from behind the arc.
FOURTH QUARTER: UNA 73, UWG 68
The finale was set to a battle down the stretch, but the Lions would prevail using three-point shooting and defense to secure the win. UNA went 4-6 from behind the arc, with Gallegos knocking down half of the threes en route to 11 fourth quarter points. Wohlgemuth and Katie Criswell each hit a triple, and Criswell also proved key on defense with two steals late in the quarter. Three combined steals from Criswell and Jazzy Klinge flipped momentum towards UNA in the final 1:18, with Criswell and Gallegos hitting three clutch free throws to secure the win.
UP NEXT
North Alabama continues its road trip at the Jacksonville Dolphins on Saturday 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.
