FLORENCE, Ala. (January 16, 2026) – The University of North Alabama men's basketball team will close this weekend with a jam-packed day of events Saturday, as the Lions host Jacksonville at 2 p.m. inside CB&S Bank Arena.
This will be UNA's annual Gold Rush Game in support of UNA's "Shine On, Gold" comprehensive campaign. Fans are encouraged to wear gold. Gold T-shirts will be available to select fans while supplies last.
The team is wearing "Florence State" throwback jerseys on Saturday. The jerseys originally debuted in 2024 during a Gold Rush game, marking the 50th anniversary of UNA's name change from "Florence State University" to the "University of North Alabama" in 1974.
Other promotions include UNA's first-ever Baby Race sponsored by Edward Jones-Scott Cooper. The race will take place at halftime. Seven babies have been registered for the race so far. Saturday is also Faith and Family Night.
The game will be available for streaming on ESPN+ with "Voice of the Lions"
Benjamin Ray and Matt Daniels on the call.
Chase Glover will be courtside. The game is also available on
Roar Lions Productions with Bryan Neece on the call. This radio broadcast is available on Varsity Network, Facebook, X, YouTube, Twitch and RoarLions.com.
Tickets are available by calling 256-765-5466 (LION) or by visiting
this link. Thursday's game day promotion will be Dancer Night.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early for the game, as parking is limited due to ongoing construction. As such, the lot near the Hal Self Athletic Annex will be unavailable. Violators will be towed if parked in the construction zone.
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.
Limited handicap parking will be available in front of the CB&S Bank Arena ticket office.
GAME INFORMATION
Game: North Alabama vs. Jacksonville
Date: Saturday, January 17
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Florence, Alabama
Venue: CB&S Bank Arena
Capacity: 3,000
Game Sponsor: United Community Bank
Promotion: Faith & Family Night / Baby Race / Gold Rush Game
Watch:
ESPN+ ("Voice of the Lions"
Benjamin Ray, Matt Daniels,
Chase Glover)
Listen:
Roar Lions Productions (Bryan Neece)
Live Stats:
StatBroadcast
Tickets:
Click Here
Game Notes:
Click Here
Social Media:
@UNA_Basketball
NOTES
LAST TIME OUT: North Alabama had one of its best offensive nights of the season, but North Florida had one of its best offensive nights since 2018 in a 105-91 loss for the Lions on Thursday in CB&S Bank Arena. UNF, ranked among the top 10 teams in the nation for made three-pointers per game, went 17-37 behind the arc and 18-19 at the line. UNA had high offense contributions from
Corneilous Williams with 28 points and 14 rebounds,
Canin Jefferson with 21 points and
Kevin de Kovachich with 19 points.
SCOUTING THE LIONS: UNA has a 6-10 record and a 1-4 mark in Atlantic Sun Conference play. The Lions are led offensively by
Donte Bacchus with 13.9 points per game, including 14 in the North Florida game on Thursday. The Lions rank among the nation's top 100 teams in fewest fouls, fewest turnovers and blocked shots.
SCOUTING THE DOLPHINS: Jacksonville enters with a 6-12 record and a 1-4 record in ASUN play. On Thursday, Jacksonville fell by a 62-60 final against Central Arkansas in Conway. This was the first loss in seven meetings for JU against UCA. The Dolphins soundly defeated West Georgia last week by a 75-43 final to erase a three-game skid to open ASUN play. The Dolphins are second in the ASUN in defense, allowing just 72.9 PPG. Leading the charge offensively is junior guard Jaylen Jones with 10.1 PPG. Sophomore Chris Arias was a preseason all-conference pick and currently averages 9.3 PPG. Jordan Mincy is in his fifth season as head coach.
SERIES HISTORY: The Lions are 8-4 against Jacksonville, all since 2019. The home team has won 10 of the 12 meetings, as UNA defeated Jacksonville on the road in the very first meeting back in 2019, JU's only win in Florence came in 2022.
LAST SEASON'S MATCHUPS: UNA and Jacksonville played three times last season, splitting the regular season and meeting again in the ASUN Semifinal Round. The Dolphins took the first regular season game in January with a 64-60 victory in Swisher Gym. The Lions took round two in Florence with a 92-79 win in February. The two sides collided again in CB&S Bank Arena following first round wins, with UNA advancing to the ASUN Championship on a 78-63 win.
CAREER HIGHS: In the first five games of ASUN play, UNA has had seven players tie or set a new career high in scoring. Those players include four starters —
Corneilous Williams (28 points),
Canin Jefferson (24),
Dallas Howell (24) and
Donte Bacchus (22). The other three are sophomore
DarKaun King (11) and true freshmen
Braylon Patton (13) and
Cortez Graham-Howard (10).
WATCH WILLIAMS: Williams ranks atop the ASUN with 10.0 rebounds per game, getting back to a double-digit average for the first time in two weeks. Prior to that two week mark, he averaged double figures the entire season. He currently ranks 18th in the NCAA in average rebounding and 12th in offensive rebounding. He is also one of 34 players in the NCAA with seven or more double-doubles.
SIX YEARS, NEW HEIGHTS: Sixth-year senior
Dallas Howell had a career-high 24 points at Bellarmine last Saturday, shooting 8-9 from behind the arc. Howell played his 114th game on Thursday against North Florida, passing Jamari Blackmon for the second-most Division I appearances by a Lion. The first spot is held by
Will Soucie with 151 games. Soucie attended the game at Bellarmine on Saturday as a fan.
SIX YEARS OF HOWELL: Howell has been with the program since 2020, earning a COVID season and an injury redshirt last season. He is one of just seven known players in Division I this season to play for six seasons. However, Howell is the only one of those seven to do it at the same school. The other schools with a sixth-year player include Oklahoma, Iowa State, USC, Texas, Bowling Green and Tarleton State.
HELPER, HELPER: In Saturday's win at Bellarmine, the Lions had 15 assists with 13 coming from true freshman
Cortez Graham-Howard and junior
Canin Jefferson. Graham-Howard had seven to set a season-high for any Lion this season. Jefferson matched his career-high with six.
CARDIAC LIONS: Last season, UNA finished with an 0-8 record when trailing at halftime. All 24 wins came when tying or ahead at the break. This season, however, UNA has a 4-6 record when trailing at the break, including a 33-32 deficit at the break against Bellarmine. UNA also overcame halftime deficits against Jax State, San Francisco and Lane College.
TRENDS TO WATCH: UNA is 5-2 when outscoring opponents in the paint and 6-1 when outrebounding opponents this season. The Lions, oddly, are 1-4 when shooting over 40 percent behind the arc while 5-6 when shooting under 40 percent.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
