FLORENCE, Ala. (February 4, 2026) – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team were victorious Wednesday night against one of the top road teams in the country, winning 55-50 over Austin Peay in CB&S Bank Arena.
North Alabama (11-10, 6-4 ASUN) battled in a defensive slugfest with Austin Peay (13-8, 5-6 ASUN), who had entered with a 10-0 record in away games. The Governors entered as one of three teams with 10+ wins on the road (Rhode Island, Quinnipiac) and one of five with unbeaten away marks (No. 1 UConn, No. 2 UCLA, No. 6 Louisville, North Dakota State).
UNA, once again, showed why "The Bank" is a tough place to play for opponents.
A low-scoring opening quarter saw the Lions take a one-point lead, but 20 points in the second sent Austin Peay into halftime leading. North Alabama dialed up the defensive intensity in the second half, holding the Governors to 19 total points on 20 percent shooting. While the defense shined, UNA's offense built momentum enroute to a 30-point second half.
Seventeen fourth-quarter points on 50 percent shooting helped propel the Lions to their eighth home win and second straight.
Two Lions led the charge offensively in senior Alexsandra Alvarado and junior Katie Criswell. Alvarado showed why she is the reigning Atlantic Sun Conference Player and Newcomer of the Week with a game-high 18 points. Criswell also provided timely offensive scoring with 10 points – her sixth double-digit scoring outing.
Alvarado led with a game-high six assists – tying a season high. Sophomore Sofia Ceppellotti had a near double-double performance with a game-high nine rebounds to go with eight points. Three additional Lions secured five or more rebounds in senior India Howard (7), Alvarado (5) and Criswell (5). Criswell led the team with two steals while Alvarado registered a team-leading two blocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST QUARTER: UNA 12, APSU 11
The battle began with North Alabama striking first with the advantage. Austin Peay scored the opening bucket, but UNA responded with a 9-2 run to gain the lead. The Lions held strong to end the quarter up one. North Alabama found its rhythm early in the paint with eight points, and the defense began strong by holding the Govs to 35.7 percent shooting.
SECOND QUARTER: APSU 31, UNA 25
Austin Peay's best offensive quarter came in the second enroute to the halfway lead. 20 points from the Govs gave way to the lead thanks to going 8-10 on free throws (80 percent) with two made three pointers. Despite that, North Alabama continued to force tough shots with Austin Peay shooting 38.5 percent from the field. UNA also had an efficient shooting period, going 50 percent from the field as the Lions looked to rally in the second half.
THIRD QUARTER: APSU 40, UNA 38
Both teams increased the defensive pressure, but the Lions were able to make it a single-score game after 30 minutes. UNA set the tone in the second half by holding Austin Peay to 27.3 percent shooting. North Alabama worked its way back offensively thanks Alvarado's nine points in the period. The Lions also took advantage six APSU turnovers to convert them to eight points.
FOURTH QUARTER: UNA 55, APSU 50
The Lions saved its best for last as both the offense and defense shined in the final period. UNA had its best offensive quarter with 17 points while simultaneously holding Austin Peay to 15.8 percent shooting – the lowest of any quarter. The period had three ties and lead changes, but none proved bigger than Ceppellotti's three at the 3:41 mark giving the Lions a 48-45 lead. UNA never trailed for the rest of the game, as 50 percent quarter shooting helped North Alabama hold its advantage. Free throws dominated the final minute of action, but UNA held strong to take the five-point victory.
UP NEXT
UNA begins a five-game road trip on Saturday against Queens at noon CT in Charlotte, N.C.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
