OXFORD, Miss. (November 5, 2026) – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team led No. 19 Ole Miss in the first half before falling in Oxford, Miss. by a score of 72-51 on Thursday night at the Pavilion. 

The Lions (0-2) led Ole Miss to the end of the first half at 27-25. North Alabama scored double-digit points in every period of play, something not accomplished during the Tuesday night game against Mississippi State. 

UNA had 27 points for the entire four quarters of play against the Bulldogs and matched that total in the first half against the 19th best team in the nation tonight. 

Ole Miss (2-0) erupted in the second half with a 26-point third period to retake the lead. The Rebels' Jaida Civil alongside Jada Richard had 15 and 17 points respectively to lead the way. 

North Alabama bounced back after a tough loss to the Bulldogs on Tuesday. The Lions, who finished one shy of winning the rebound battle in Starkville, won the rebound battle tonight in Oxford 36-29. 

First year head coach Anna Nimz stayed with her starting group from two nights ago that consisted of sophomore guard Greta Ramon, freshman guard Mária Štefancova, junior forward Amy Kurkowski, junior forward Venla Ulander and freshman center Emma D'este.

North Alabama finished with a 16.7 percent clip on Tuesday but shot 40.8 percent from the floor with a third of its threes finding the bottom of the net. UNA hit more three's than the No. 19 Rebels at the Pavilion on Thursday night. 

The Australian junior Kurkowski led the team with 11 points on 4-13 shooting from the floor. She had two blocks, three rebounds and two assists in 34 minutes played. D'este had a near double-double with nine points, 13 boards and two assists in 35 minutes of action. 

The Lions come back to Alabama for a Monday night matchup with Jacksonville State on Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. at Pete Mathews Coliseum in Jacksonville, Ala. 

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.