EL PASO, Texas (November 26, 2023) – Five Lions scored in double figures at UTEP on Sunday, but it would not be enough as the Miners defeated the North Alabama women's basketball team 95-88 at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas.
Senior Alexis Callins (23), freshman Veronaye Charlton (21), sophomore Rhema Pegues (13), freshman Katie Criswell (11) and sophomore Alyssa Clutter (11) all finished with double-digits scoring as the Lions' offense came out swinging, scoring the most points in a quarter (28) all season en route to an early 47-37 lead at halftime.
UNA also hit seven threes in the first half and shot 51.52 percent from the field in the big half for North Alabama. A big second half charge from the Miners saw UTEP slowly creep back into the game, earning their first lead with under five minutes to play in the fourth quarter.
The Lions remained competitive, increasing their offensive field goal efficiency in the final two quarters — 53.85 percent in the third and 58.33 percent in the fourth — but a 31-point fourth quarter was enough for UTEP to secure the comeback.
Callins followed up her 27-point performance against UT Martin with 23 points against UTEP, while Charlton finished with her career-high in points and assists with a 21-point, 10-assist double-double.
Pegues set her season-high in points with 13, while Criswell set a new career-high with 11 points. Clutter finished with a near double-double with 11 points and a team-leading eight rebounds to go with five assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST QUARTER: The Lions were the aggressors early in the first quarter, with Callins starting quick with two threes to pick back up where she left off against UT Martin. Charlton and Clutter extended the hot start with layups each before a second Clutter layup and a Cameron Jones jumper gave UNA an early 14-4 lead into the first media timeout. Two free throws from Charlton and a step-back jumper from Pegues closed out a explosive first quarter in El Paso, 19-12.
SECOND QUARTER: UTEP picked up the pace in quarter two, opening the frame on a 5-0 run. Just like the first quarter, Callins opened the scoring for the Lions in the quarter with a layup. The Miners would score the next four points before Charlton went on a 6-0 run by herself to extend the lead to 27-21. Charlton's second and-one sparked an 11-2 run by UNA, as Callins, Charlton and Pegues all made contributions on the offensive end. UTEP responded with four straight points again, but Pegues would start to catch fire with two straight threes for the Lions. North Alabama went into the halftime break with a 47-37 lead, but the story of the half was that Charlton (15), Callins (11) and Pegues (11) finished with double-digit points. UNA also shot 51.5 percent from the field and 58.3 percent from behind the arc.
THIRD QUARTER: Coming out of the quarter break, Criswell opened the scoring in the second half with a transition three-pointer off an assist from Charlton. The Miners ran off the first run of the second half, going on a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 50-44. The next possession saw Criswell again hit another three for her second of the game before a 4-0 run again by UTEP. North Alabama had their turn at a run, scoring seven unanswered with Callins, Charlton and Cameron Jones adding on to the scoresheet into the media timeout. A 16-4 run for the Miners out of the break saw the game tied with under a minute to play before the quarter-ending 4-0 run by UNA ended the third with a 68-64 lead for North Alabama.
FOURTH QUARTER: In the final quarter of action, the Lions started the scoring first with two quick layups from Clutter and Callins. Two free throws from Pegues extended the lead to 74-66 with under eight minutes to play. A 14-2 run from the Miners provided their first lead of game with under five minutes to play, but UNA kept fighting with a layup from Cameron Jones and a three from Callins. With UTEP leading 84-81 with under two minutes left, both teams exchanged two baskets, but the Miners held a 90-86 lead. With 25 seconds left, a key second-chance put back by the Miners all but confirmed the win for UTEP, as they would see the game out and take the battle against the Lions, 95-88.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
· 53.4% - UNA's field goal percentage throughout the game. Despite the result, the Lions offense got stronger and more efficient with each quarter, finishing with 50.0, 52.63, 53.85 and 58.33 percent field goal percentages in each quarter. The 53.4 percent total is the highest that UNA has shot in a game so far this season.
· 12 – The amount of three-pointers North Alabama made to finish the game. This continues the trend of UNA outshooting their opponents from behind the arc — the fifth time in six games. The Lions hit seven threes in the first half, equaling their previous game high in one half, and registered their most threes made in a game since the opener against UT Southern (13).
· 28 – The amount of second quarter points scored by North Alabama. The Lions' offense was clicking on all cylinders en route to an early halftime lead, as UNA hit 10 shots on 52.63 percent shooting, 55.56 percent on threes and a perfect 3-3 on free throws. It is North Alabama's highest scoring quarter in a game so far this season.
· 21 and 10 – Charlton finished with a career-high 21 points and 10 assists against the Miners in arguably her best game yet in a UNA uniform. She had an all-around performance, finishing with seven made shots on 53.85 percent shooting, her first collegiate made three-pointer, three rebounds, two steals and a perfect 6-6 at the free throw line. It's the second double-double by a Lion this season after senior Sara Wohlgemuth achieved the feat against Missouri on Nov. 14.
COMING UP NEXT
North Alabama will have a quick turnaround, hitting the road again for a midweek game against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs in Huntsville at T.M. Elmore Gym. Tipoff is scheduled for 11 a.m.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
