DELAND, Fla. (January 11, 2025) – The University of North Alabama men's basketball team dominated every phase of the game on Saturday, crushing Stetson by a 92-64 final in DeLand, Fla. The 28-point win sets a new school record for win margin in an Atlantic Sun Conference game.
 
The Lions (11-6, 3-1 ASUN) began pulling away with seven minutes left in the first half, ending the frame on a 25-6 run. That momentum continued into the second half, as the Lions led by as many as 39 points in the second half.
 
The story of the game cannot be told without the legendary performance of senior Taye Fields, who notched a double-double just 14 minutes into the game. The transfer from Missouri Western finished with 23 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block. Ten of his 17 rebounds came on the offensive boards.
 
Three other Lions reached double figures, including fifth-year senior Will Soucie with 17 points and most of the early damage. Soucie also went 5-7 behind the arc for a new career-high in triples.
 
Junior guard Jacari Lane had another all-conference-worthy performance with 14 points and a game-high six assists. Senior Daniel Ortiz joined him with 14 points, including three treys and a perfect 5-5 showing at the free throw line. Sophomore Canin Jefferson went 6-6 at the charity stripe and finished with eight points, while Donte Bacchus added seven points.

Redshirt sophomore Corneilous Williams was also a force on the boards, grabbing nine rebounds.
 
To the credit of Stetson (4-13, 2-2 ASUN), both teams shot even from the floor at roughly 45 percent. However, UNA shot in much higher volume with 19 more attempts., going 30-67 while Stetson went 22-48. That 19 shot different can directly be attributed to the boards, as UNA won the rebound margin 43-26 with 20 offensive rebounds.
 
The Lions also dominated the turnover department with a 14-5 advantage, forcing Stetson into seven turnovers before their first. UNA also outscored Stetson 28-2 in points off turnovers, 23-4 on second chances and 20-6 on fast breaks.
 
More impressively, all of this happened on the road.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
First Half: Stetson took the early 10-5 advantage, but any momentum for the home team was erased right away with a 7-0 run for UNA's first lead. The closest Stetson got to tying the game again was a 22-20 deficit at the 7:39 mark. In the final seven minutes, UNA closed on a 25-6 run to assert dominance. UNA shot 18-35 from the floor in the half while limiting Stetson to 9-20. UNA also went 7-14 behind the arc and won the boards 22-11. UNA forced Stetson into seven turnovers before committing their first and only of the half. Taye Fields achieved double-double status within the first 14 minutes and finished the break with 11 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. Will Soucie led with 14 points at the break, while Jacari Lane added 12.
 
Second Half: Daniel Ortiz opened the second half with back-to-back three-pointers, extending the lead to more than double at 53-26. The largest lead came at the 8:41 mark of the second half, as Donte Bacchus made a layup to put the Lions ahead 84-45. Shortly after, UNA called off the dogs and coasted to victory. True freshman Kevin de Kovachich entered the scorebook in the final five minutes, while junior Blake Floyd had the final strike with a three-pointer in the final minute. UNA went 15-16 from the free throw line in the second half.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Today marked the largest ASUN win in program history with a 28-point margin. The previous record was set January 15, 2021 against Kennesaw State, 66-43.

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  All three of UNA's ASUN wins this season have been won by double digits. The first two wins came against Bellarmine (82-66) and EKU (88-67).

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  Fields was two rebounds short of a career-high, but set a new season high. His previous career-high of 19 was set against Bethel (KS) in 2023 and Northeastern State in 2024. Northeastern State happens to be UNA Football's home opener in 2025.

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  UNA is 8-0 this season when making at least 30 field goals.

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  UNA shot 13-30 behind the arc for 43 percent. The 13 triples are the third-most in a game this season and the most in conference play since making 13 against Lipscomb in the ASUN Quarterfinal last season.

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  UNA had a 28-2 advantage in points off turnovers, totaling nine steals with only five turnovers all game.

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  No Lion finished with more than one turnover. Only four Lions had one, while Stetson had eight players commit at least one.

 
COMING UP NEXT
 
UNA will begin the second half of its Florida trip on Thursday, Jan. 16 against Jacksonville. Tipoff from Swisher Gymnasium is set for 6 p.m. CT.
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.