LAKE Buena Vista, Fla., – North Alabama stayed within striking distance, but could never find the lead during a 76-69 defeat to ninth-ranked Stonehill Sunday on the final day of the Disney Division II Tip-Off Classic. With the loss, the Lions return from Walt Disney World with an 0-3 record after knocking off Alabama last Wednesday in exhibition play. UNA will have a week to regroup before playing at Tuskegee on Nov. 16. The Lions will then host their home opener the following Thursday against Henderson State.

Against Stonehill, Jameica York turned in a team-high 20 points after going 10-of-12 from the free throw line. Sanqueeta Meardith also reached double figures in scoring with 13 points on the day.

After trailing 37-32 at the half, the Lions were forced to play catch-up over the final 20 minutes of play. The Skyhawks stretched their lead to 10 early in the second half before a 9-2 UNA run cut the deficit to 51-48 with 9:07 remaining.

Stonehill pushed the lead to 70-56 at the 2:20 mark before UNA closed the game on a 13-6 run to make the final score 76-69. A three-pointer by Meardith closed the gap to five in the final minute of play, but the Skyhawks were able to connect on free throws down the stretch.

Three-point shooting again proved to be a problem for the Lions. UNA hit just 3-of-12 shots from beyond the arc on Sunday. For the season, UNA is 14-of-73 from three-point range.