DAYTONA, Fla. -- North Alabama's quick start gave the Lions an early 11-point lead but Southern Utah outscored the Lions38-16 in the second half to take a 72-50 win over UNA in the first round of the 2023 Discount Tire College Basketball Invitational at the Ocean Center.

The game was UNA's first post-season appearance outside of conference tournament play since 2013-14, and the first on the Division I level.

The Lions close their best season on the DI level at 18-15 overall. Southern Utah improved to 23-12.

North Alabama came out with the hot hand, hitting five three-point baskets in the first seven and a half minutes of the game. Those baskets, three from Daniel Ortiz and two from Dallas Howell, helped the Lions build an 11-point lead at 27-16 with 12:17 left in the half.

Southern Utah chipped away at the UNA lead until finally tying the game on a three-point basket of their own in the final minute of the half to make it 34-34 at intermission.

Ortiz finished the half with 11 points to lead the Lions.

The Thunderbirds had the hot hand in the second half, outscoring UNA 14-3 in th opening minutes to take a 11-point lead.

The SUU lead continued to grow to the final 22-point margin as the Thunderbirds held Ortiz scoreless over the final 20 minutes and limited the Lions to 16 points in 20 minutes.

Howell finished as UNA's leading scorer with 13. Damian Forrest was dominant on the boards for the Lions with 16 rebounds.

North Alabama shot just 29.9 percent from the floor for the game, and was just 7-of-37 in the second half for 18.9 pct.

Ortiz finished the season with 105 made three-point baskets, setting a school Division I record but falling three short of the all-time school record.