JACKSONVILLE, Fla., – Four players reached double figures and the University of North Alabama women's basketball team used its best defensive performance of the season in a 57-47 win at Jacksonville on Sunday. The victory gives UNA an ASUN Conference sweep over the Dolphins. The Lions are 5-10 overall and 4-2 in league play.
On Sunday, Jaila Roberts led all scorers with 23 points while Sakyia White recorded her second straight double-double with 11 points and a career-high 20 rebounds.
For the second consecutive game against JU, the Lions took control with a dominating third quarter. After taking a 30-27 lead into the half, UNA opened the third quarter on a 10-0 run. Four different players scored during the spurt. A basket by Roberts made the score 40-27 midway through the quarter.
Jacksonville, which did not score for the first 6:39 of the second half in Saturday's contest, nearly matched the scoring drought on Sunday. A three-point basket with 3:28 remaining in the period cut the deficit to 10 points, but the Dolphins would not score for the remainder of the quarter. UNA led 41-30 heading into the final stanza.
White opened the fourth quarter with a free throw to give the Lions a 12-point lead. JU, however, responded with seven straight points to pull to within five points at the 7:28 mark.
Roberts then drew a foul and hit both free throws. After a defensive stop by the Lions, she then drove the lane and passed to White, who scored to put the Lions ahead 46-37 with 5:34 remaining. The Dolphins would get no closer than six the rest of the way.
Both teams struggled from the floor throughout the game. UNA, however, was 23-of-33 from the free throw line while Jacksonville connected on 11-of-15 foul shots. The Lions also pulled down a season-high 50 rebounds, including 20 on the offensive end. North Alabama held a commanding 50-34 advantage on the glass.
Olivia Noah added 10 points on the day while Jaida Bond pulled down 10 rebounds. Roberts just missed a double-double with nine rebounds.
UNA will host North Florida on Saturday and Sunday in another key ASUN matchup. Tip-off times for both games are set for 2 p.m. at Flowers Hall.
