CHARLOTTE, N.C. (February 6, 2026) – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team hits the road for Atlantic Sun Conference action at Queens and Central Arkansas on Feb. 7 and 9.
The Lions begin a five-game road trip with the first two stops in Charlotte, N.C. and Conway, Ark. UNA concludes the season series vs. the Royals while battling the Sugar Bears for the first time. North Alabama and Central Arkansas were originally scheduled to play on Saturday, Jan. 24 but was rescheduled due to inclement weather.
North Alabama tips off against the Royals on Saturday, Feb. 7 in Curry Arena at noon CT. UNA's game vs. the Sugar Bears is scheduled for Monday, Feb 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Farris Center. Tickets are available for purchase for both game through each school's ticket office.
The games will be available for streaming on ESPN+ and have live stats provided by StatBroadcast and SIDEARM, respectively. Fans can also tune in to Roar Lions Productions to catch Grant Wakefield on the call against Queens. The Countdown to Tipoff show begins at 11:40 a.m. CT.
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.
GAME 1 INFO
Game: North Alabama at Queens
Date: Saturday, February 7
Time: NOON CT
Location: Charlotte, N.C.
Venue: Curry Arena
Tickets: Click Here
Watch: ESPN+
Radio: Roar Lions Productions
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Social Media: @UNAwbb
GAME 2 INFO
Game: North Alabama at Central Arkansas
Date: Monday, February 9
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Conway, Ark.
Venue: Farris Center
Tickets: Click Here
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: SIDEARM
Social Media: @UNAwbb
NOTES
LAST TIME OUT: North Alabama secured a 55-50 victory over Austin Peay on Feb. 4. UNA continued its strong home-court advantage, earning its eighth home of the season. The Govs were one of the top road teams in the country, entering the contest as one of three teams with 10 or more 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).
SCOUTING UNA: The Lions' offense is led by a 40.1 percent shooting percentage. UNA has a slight advantage against opponents in shooting percentage – limiting opponents to 38.4 percent shooting. The Lions additionally lead in three-point percentage (29.3 percent - 28.3 percent), rebounds (791-781), assists (285-223), blocks (69-61) and steals (168-163). North Alabama has won six of their last seven games – including four straight victories from Jan. 10-22 against Bellarmine, North Florida, Jacksonville and Queens. Five players have average over nine points per game during the run in senior Alexsandra Alvarado (18.3 points per game), freshman Gabby Jackson (10.7 PPG), sophomore Sofia Ceppellotti (9.6 PPG), senior India Howard (9.4 PPG) and junior Katie Criswell (9.1 PPG).
SCOUTING QUEENS: The Royals enter the weekend 8-14 overall with a 2-9 ASUN record. Queens' last victory came on Jan. 29 in a 100-48 home win over Bellarmine. Jermany Mapp leads Queens in scoring at 10.3 points per game – ranking 23rd in the conference. Ana Barreto additionally averages double figures with 10 PPG, and Brenae Jones-Grant has 9.9 PPG and 6.7 RPG averages.
SERIES HISTORY: North Alabama has a 4-1 series advantage against Queens. The Lions won the first season matchup on Jan. 22 in a 63-60 victory in CB&S Bank Arena.
SCOUTING CENTRAL ARKANSAS: The Sugar Bears have a 12-10 record while 5-5 in conference play. Central Arkansas won their third game in five contests last time out after taking a 64-39 victory at Queens on Feb. 4. The Sugar Bears rank first in the ASUN in opponent field-goal percentage (35.5 percent) and third in total defense (59.5 PPG). Central Arkansas also ranks second in total rebounds (40.2). Shae Littleford is third in the ASUN in scoring at 14.7 PPG. Tony Kemper leads Central Arkansas in his third season.
SERIES HISTORY: The Lions and Sugar Bears meet for the 16th all-time matchup. Central Arkansas leads 10-5, but UNA was victorious in a 66-56 win last time out on March 1, 2025.
RIGHT UP HER ALLEY: Alvarado sports a team-leading 13.1 points per game. She is also UNA's leader in assists (64), three-pointers made (41) and steals (33). Alvarado is tied for sixth in the ASUN in three-pointers made per game (2.0 per game), tied for eighth in assists per game (3.0) and 10th in scoring. Defensively, Alvarado is tied for eighth in steals per game (1.6).
SOFIA SHINES: Ceppellotti is second on the team with 10.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. The sophomore is tied for 13th in rebounding, tied for 15th in three-pointers made per game (1.4) and tied for 19th in scoring in the ASUN.
GABBY GETS IT!: Jackson is the team leader in total rebounds with 128 for a 6.1 average. She has had at least seven rebounds in nine games this season with the Kansas City, Mo. native 11th in the ASUN in rebounds per game. She earned back-to-back ASUN Freshman of the Week honors on Jan. 12 and Jan. 20.
BUKKY BUCKETS: Graduate Bukky Akinsola has shown veteran leadership in multiple parts of the game. Averaging 6.3 points per game, Akinsola has made her mark in the playmaking and defense category. She's second on the team in total assists (40) and has 19 steals on the season.
All INDIA, ALL THE TIME: Howard continues to produce on both ends of the floor with 6.7 points per game averages and 4.5 rebounds. She is the team's blocks leader with 20 on the season and leads in field-goal percentage at 56.5 percent. Howard totaled her 100th career block against South Alabama on Dec. 14, 2025.
COUNTING ON CRISWELL: Criswell has been finding ways to produce on both ends as well. She's been the Lions' on-ball defensive specialist and has accumulated double-digits in both steals (17) and blocks (12). She's also provided timely scoring outputs throughout the season with a high of 17 points vs. EKU on Jan. 8.
NOTHING EASY: North Alabama gets it done on the defensive end with four players ranked on the ASUN's blocked shots leaderboard. Howard ranks tied for seventh at one per game while Criswell are tied for 18th with 0.6 per game. Ceppellotti and Senior Jazzy Klinge are tied for 23rd at 0.5.
SHE WON BOTH OF THEM!: Alvarado was named the ASUN's Women's Basketball Player and Newcomer of the Week on Monday, Feb. 2. The Richmond, Calif. native led both games against Stetson and FGCU in scoring, including in UNA's win over the Eagles. Alvarado averaged 20 points and five assists per game, also providing solid defensive production with two steals per game. She became the first Lion to receive either honor this season while becoming the third in program history to win both simultaneously.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
