FLORENCE, Ala. (January 7, 2026) – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team continues Atlantic Sun Conference play this week with home games in CB&S Bank Arena against EKU and Bellarmine.
The Lions return home to Florence for their first home contest since Dec. 1, 2025. UNA looks to build on its 4-1 home record this season while in search of its first ASUN wins of the season.
North Alabama opens the weekly slate against EKU on Thursday, Jan. 8 at 6 p.m. The Lions concludes the week vs. Bellarmine on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 2 p.m.
The contests will also serve as dual-promotion events. Thursday's game vs. the Colonels will be the team's "White Out" game with Saturday serving as its "Gold Rush" game. Fans are encouraged to wear white and gold to the respective games.
Both contests will be streamed on ESPN+. "Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray and Bryan Neece will be on the call against EKU with Ray and Matt Daniels providing commentary vs. Bellarmine. Chase Glover will serve as the courtside reporter for both games.
The games will also air on radio through Roar Lions Productions. Grant Wakefield will provide the call vs. EKU with Neece on commentary vs. Bellarmine. The "Countdown to Tipoff" radio show begins at 5:40 p.m. against EKU and 1:40 p.m. vs. Bellarmine.
Full results and a recap will be posted on RoarLions.com following each game, but fans can also follow along in real time on the UNA Women's Basketball social media pages.
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. Parking at the Bill Jones athletic complex will be unavailable. However, this lot is available as a drop off area near the arena.
Limited handicap parking will be available in front of the CB&S Bank Arena ticket office.
GAME 1 INFO
Game: North Alabama vs. EKU
Date: Thursday, January 8
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Florence, Ala.
Venue: CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall
Promotion: White Out
Watch: ESPN+ ("Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray, Bryan Neece and Chase Glover)
Radio: Roar Lions Productions (Grant Wakefield)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Tickets: Click Here
Social Media: @UNAwbb
GAME 2 INFO
Game: North Alabama vs. Bellarmine
Date: Saturday, January 10
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Florence, Ala.
Venue: CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall
Promotion: Gold Rush
Watch: ESPN+ ("Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray, Matt Daniels and Chase Glover)
Radio: Roar Lions Productions (Bryan Neece)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Tickets: Click Here
Social Media: @UNAwbb
NOTES
SCOUTING UNA: The Lions' offense is led by a 37.9 percent shooting percentage. UNA has a slight advantage against opponents in shooting percentage – limiting opponents to 37.8 percent shooting. The team additionally holds advantages in rebounding (519-513) with a significant advantage in assists (171-136). North Alabama also paces teams in offensive rebounding with a 173-157 advantage.
SCOUTING EKU: The Colonels are 11-4 on the season with a 2-0 record in the ASUN. EKU is riding a four-game winning streak with the Colonels defeating Queens in their last contest on Jan. 3, 103-49. EKU additionally defeated West Georgia, 69-53, for its first conference win on Jan. 1. The Colonels' leading scorer is Liz Freihofer at 13.7 points per game. Leading EKU is Greg Todd in his fifth season.
SERIES HISTORY: The Lions and Colonels prep for the seventh all-time meeting in series history. EKU leads the series with a 4-2 record. UNA looks for its first win in the series since claiming a 74-65 road victory on Feb. 17, 2022 in Richmond, Ky.
SCOUTING BELLARMINE: The Knights enter the weekend 2-13 on the season. Bellarmine looks to claim its first ASUN win this weekend after dropping home bouts to Queens and West Georgia last time out. The Knights are led on offense by Triniti Ralston at 13.9 points per game – tied for fifth in the conference. Bellarmine's head coach is Monique Reid in her first season at the helm.
SERIES HISTORY: North Alabama leads the series against Bellarmine, 11-2. The Lions won the lone meeting in 2024-25 with a 90-89 overtime win on the road in Louisville, Ky. UNA has won seven of the previous eight meetings.
SOFIA SHINES: Ceppellotti has been having a breakout campaign in year two, averaging 11.8 points per game. She leads the team in scoring and rebounding average, accumulating 5.9 rebounds per game. The sophomore additionally ranks in the ASUN tied for tied for eighth in three-pointers per game (1.7 per game), 13th in rebounding and 18th in scoring.
RIGHT UP HER ALLEY: Alvarado averages 10.8 points per game, totaling a team-leading 140 points this season. She is also UNA's three-pointers made leader with 26. She is fifth in the ASUN in three-pointers made per game (two per game) and 19th in the ASUN in scoring average. Defensively, Alvarado is tied for 15th in steals per game (1.3).
GABBY GETS IT!: Freshman Gabby Jackson is the team leader in total rebounds with 72 for a 5.5 average. She has had at least six rebounds in seven games this season with a high 13 at Tennessee State on Nov. 19. The Kansas City, Mo. native is 16th in the ASUN in rebounds per game.
VENLA THE VERSATILE: Sophomore Venla Ulander has been making strides in her first season of action for UNA. She averages 4.9 points per game with the all-around forward playing efficient basketball on both sides of the floor. Ulander tallied her first career double-double on Dec. 7 against Samford, securing a team-high 21 points with 10 rebounds.
NOTHING EASY: North Alabama gets it done on the defensive end with four players ranked in the ASUN's blocked shots leaderboard. Ceppellotti ranks tied for ninth in blocked shots with 0.9 per game, and junior Katie Criswell ranks tied for 12th at 0.8. Senior India Howard is tied for 16th at 0.7 with senior Jazzy Klinge 25th at 0.5.
SECOND-CHANCE BOARDS: North Alabama ranks third in the ASUN in offensive rebounds at 13.3 per game. They've led in the category for seven games — UT Martin, Fisk, Tennessee State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, South Alabama, Alabama A&M and Stetson — with a high of 21 against Fisk on Nov. 6.
SECOND-UNIT STARS: UNA ranks third in the conference in the bench points at 23.6 per game. Key contributors include Howard leading the second unit at 5.7 PPG. Other key contributors include Jackson and Ulander at 4.9 PPG with senior Alyssa Clutter totaling 4.8 points per game.
TOP TIER: In addition to ASUN ranks, the Lions are in the top 100 nationally in four categories. North Alabama ranks nationally per game in total rebounds (89th/39.92), bench points (90th), opponent three-point percentage (99th/28.4 percent) and opponent field-goal percentage (100th/37.8 percent).
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
