PEORIA, Ill. (March 19, 2025) – A historic season drew to a close on Wednesday night, as the University of North Alabama men's basketball team competed in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) and fell 71-62 inside Carver Arena in Peoria, Ill.
The Lions end their season with a 24-11 record — the most single-season wins for the program since 2008. That season, UNA was at the NCAA Division II level and made a run at the NCAA Elite Eight. This year, UNA received its first-ever invite to the NIT.
While UNA was a first-time participant, Bradley makes its 24th appearance in the NIT this season. This ranks second behind St. John's with 30 appearances. The Braves will advance to face George Mason in the NIT Second Round.
The Braves started on a 14-0 run and led 39-21 at the break. Lane got things going in the second half with an immediate bucket and the Lions pulled back within single digits midway through the second half. UNA got back within four at the 2:05 mark, down 63-59, but Bradley held on.
Junior Donte Bacchus led the charge with 19 points, willing the Lions back in the second half. Fellow junior Jacari Lane — a Lou Henson Mid-Major Player of the Year finalist — added 12 points. He ends the season with 1,494 career points which stands as the school's Division I record and ranks fourth all-time.
Two other Lions made joined Lane on the 1,000 career scoring list this season, marking the first time with three active 1,000 point scorers at UNA on the same team since 1971. Senior Daniel Ortiz finishes with 1,315 career points to rank eighth all-time, while fifth-year Lion Will Soucie ends his storied career with 1,124 points in 151 career games. He is the only player in school history to play in over 150 games.
This concludes the seventh season under head coach Tony Pujol, who took over the program at the genesis of UNA's move to Division I. Pujol has led the Lions to 102 wins in those seven seasons with a 66-27 record at home.
In a season that brought numerous accolades — both individual and team — the Lions will forever be 2024-25 Atlantic Sun Conference Regular Season Champions and NIT participants.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
