FLORENCE, Ala. (November 7, 2024) – The University of North Alabama men's basketball team hosted Point University and 3,000 screaming fans on Thursday morning inside CB&S Bank Arena, as the Lions soared past the Skyhawks 94-58 in the home opener.
CB&S Bank Arena was at full capacity for Elementary Day, as thousands of local elementary students from 14 different schools watched the Thursday matinee.
North Alabama (2-0) had four players in double figures led by sophomore guard
Canin Jefferson with a career-high 14 points on 5-8 shooting overall and 2-4 behind the arc. All 14 points came in the second half. Junior
Jacari Lane and senior
Will Soucie and had 13 points each — 11 each in the first half.
While the sophomore, junior and senior did their thing, so did true freshman
Kevin de Kovachich with 11 points in 16 minutes of action. He shot 3-4 from the field, made his only three-point attempt and went 4-4 from the line.
UNA continued its track record of success in non-conference home games, improving to a 27-3 record in such contests since moving to Division I in 2018.
Point (0-3) was led by Vince Graves with 15 points. This game counts for UNA but serves as an exhibition for the Skyhawks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half: Point — fittingly — had the first points of the game. However, the lead changed three times early, but a layup by
Jacari Lane put UNA back up 6-5. That would be the last time Point saw a lead, as UNA proceeded on a 13-2 run over the next four minutes to the under-12 media break. After going 15-29 behind the arc in the season opener, UNA duplicated those totals in first half field goals for a percentage north of 50 percent. Point shot just 9-30 for 30 percent and trailed UNA 42-26 at the break.
Second Half: The Lions outscored Point 52-32 in the second half and dominated from start to finish. The Lions had 11 players score in the second half, led by a combined 25 points from young guards Jefferson and de Kovachich. Senior
Jamal Albritton, junior
Blake Floyd and freshman
Israel Jenrette also made the second half score sheet.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- The Lions are 51-26 in home games since moving to Division I.
- The Lions shot 32-66 for 48 percent, while going 7-22 behind the arc for 32 percent.
- The Skyhawks shot 21-61 for 34 percent and 7-23 from three for 30 percent.
- UNA swatted six shots and did not have any shots blocked. Jenrette had three of the blocks, Albritton added a pair and Jefferson stuffed the other to stop an open drive up the middle.
- In two games, UNA is outscoring opponents 26-7 on fast breaks. The Lions had an 18-7 advantage today against Point.
- UNA won the boards 47-33 and converted 15 offensive boards into 21 second chance points.
- UNA scored 24 points off turnovers and won the turnover battle 20-11.
- UNA dominated the paint with a 48-28 advantage.
- For the second straight game, UNA led for over 38 minutes.
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6 – This is the number of free boneless wings that fans can retrieve at the Buffalo Wild Wings location in Florence after every UNA win with the purchase of six wings. Fans are encouraged to show their ticket or the social media graphic to retrieve the offer.
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80 – Anytime the Lions score 80 or more points, fans who attended the game can go to Rosie's Cantina in Downtown Florence to get a free cup of queso. Fans must show proof of attendance to retrieve.
COMING UP NEXT
The Lions continue a three-game home stand on Monday, Nov. 11 against UT Martin. Opening tip is set for 6 p.m. inside CB&S Bank Arena.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
