FLORENCE, Ala. (November 18, 2024) – The University of North Alabama men's basketball team had a late first-half lead on the No. 4 ranked Auburn Tigers on Monday, but the Lions slipped in the second half of a 102-69 loss in Neville Arena.
With 5:12 remaining in the first half, sophomore guard
Canin Jefferson buried a triple from the left wing to put UNA (3-2) up 33-32. The Lions hung around for a handful of possessions until a personal 6-0 run by All-American Johni Broome handed Auburn (4-0) the lead for good.
Junior guard
Jacari Lane has led the Lions in scoring against every Division I opponent this season — and did so again tonight with 16 points. He is now just three points shy of reaching 1,000 career points early into his third season. Lane was named ASUN Player of the Week on Monday afternoon and has scored in double figures all five games this season.
Seniors
Will Soucie and
Daniel Ortiz chipped in 15 points apiece.
Auburn, who is ranked No. 4 in the AP poll and No. 3 in the USA Today Coaches Poll as of today, was led by Broome with 30 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks. The third team All-American went 13-17 from the floor.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half: UNA battled with Auburn early on, taking a 7-6 lead with four points from Fields, a powerful dunk from reigning ASUN Newcomer of the Week
Corneilous Williams and a free throw from Lane. Auburn went on a 10-0 run to take a 16-7 lead at the first media timeout. The Lions fought back and stole momentum late in the half, starting with back-to-back baskets by Lane to pull within two. The Jefferson triple moments later made it 33-32 Lions with 5:12 to go. The Tigers went up at the half as Broome scored 13 points in the final five minutes of the half.
Second Half: UNA shot 14-35 in the second half for exactly 40 percent, extending the streak of games above 40 percent shooting to seven games dating back to last season. However, Auburn shot 18-27 for 66.7 in the second half and went 6-13 behind the arc to pull away. Soucie had 11 second half points, while Ortiz had nine.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- UNA and Auburn combined for 90 points in the paint — including 40 from UNA.
- UNA had an 8-6 advantage in steals. The Lions entered Monday ninth in the nation in steals with over 12 per game.
- UNA has held at least one lead in every game this season.
- The Lions shot 10-11 from the free throw line, the best percentage of the season.
- Lane is on the verge of becoming the 28th player in UNA history to join the 1,000 point club. He has 997 career points and needs just three to hit the thousand mark. Meanwhile, senior teammate Daniel Ortiz is at 966 points after tonight and needs 34 to score his 1,000th at UNA.
- UNA's last SEC win remains a 66-65 victory against Ole Miss on Dec. 20, 2022.
COMING UP NEXT
UNA heads to the Bayou this weekend for two games against Louisiana-Monroe and at Northwestern State in Natchitoches, La.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
