NASHVILLE (March 8, 2025) – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team's Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament came to an end Saturday afternoon, falling to the No. 3 Lipscomb Bisons, 73-64, from Allen Arena.
The Lions end the tournament in the quarterfinal round, with UNA 13-17 on the season. The Bisons claimed their second win over North Alabama in the postseason, now advancing to the semifinal round. Lipscomb also improves its season record to 20-10.
UNA came to play in the postseason opener, looking to avenge two regular-season defeats by coming out with energy to match the Bisons. The two teams were even in the first half, ending both the first and second quarters with a stalemate on the score sheet.
The Lions and Bisons both started off hot shooting the ball to open the contest. Lipscomb opened shooting 61.5 percent in the first period, but North Alabama also had efficient shooting with a 58.3 percent mark. UNA also was a perfect 3-3 from the three-point line and 2-2 from free throws. Senior Charity Gallegos was the spark plug offensively for the Lions, coming out the gates strong with 10 points and a perfect 3-3 from the field.
The offenses slowed in the second quarter, but North Alabama had a fast start to take a six-point advantage to open the period. Junior Cameron Jones scored six-straight points en route to UNA's advantage, but the Bisons responded with a 5-0 run to make it a back-and-forth affair. The two teams went into halftime tied at 31, with North Alabama looking to continue its momentum from the opening half.
Third-quarter scoring for Lipscomb proved the difference in the battle, with the Bisons finding their rhythm en route to a 30-point scoring frame. North Alabama scored efficiently in the third quarter behind 50 percent shooting from the field, but the Bisons did their damage from behind the arc with Lipscomb going 5-6 from deep. The Bisons outscored the Lions, 30-13, with UNA needing a response in the fourth quarter.
UNA trailed by 17 heading into the fourth period, but the Lions continued to fight. North Alabama had its best scoring quarter in the final frame, outscoring the Bisons, 20-12.
Graduate Sara Wohlgemuth came alive in the quarter scoring the ball, going 5-5 from the field with her 12 points equaling Lipscomb's point total in the entire period. The Lions' defense also stepped up, forcing the Bisons into 33.3 percent shooting to match their lowest shooting quarter in the game. Despite the furious rally from North Alabama, Lipscomb would see the game out and advance with a 73-64 victory.
UNA's Gallegos and Wohlgemuth showed senior leadership in the defeat, finishing as the Lions' leading scorers with 19 and 18 points, respectively. The two also finished tied with a steal a piece, leading the team in the defensive category. The 18 points for Wohlgemuth marked a season high for the Madison, Conn. native.
Junior India Howard totaled the team-high nine rebounds in the contest, and Howard, junior Jazzy Klinge and sophomore Katie Criswell rounded out UNA's leaders with a block each.
North Alabama returns home to Florence with 13 wins on the season in Head Coach Candi Whitaker's first season at the helm. The Lions won nine games from CB&S Bank Arena, while appearing in their seventh-straight ASUN Tournament.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
